The judges have made their decisions, and Literature Wales have announced the 2014 Wales Book of the Year Short List.
Over one hundred eligible English-language books were submitted, of which the following nine books have been shortlisted for the 2014 Wales Book of the Year Award:
The Roland Mathias Poetry Award Short List
- Barkin!, Mike Jenkins (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
- The Shape of a Forest, Jemma L. King (Parthian Books)
- Pink Mist, Owen Sheers (Faber and Faber)
Fiction Short List
- Clever Girl, Tessa Hadley (Jonathan Cape) The Drive, Tyler Keevil (Myriad Editions) The Rice Paper Diaries, Francesca Rhydderch (Seren)
Creative Non-Fiction Short List
- Rhys Davies: A Writer’s Life, Meic Stephens (Parthian Books)
- R. S. Thomas: Serial Obsessive, M. Wynn Thomas (University of Wales Press) And Neither Have I Wings to Fly, Thelma Wheatley (Inanna Publications)
The Short List was announced via an online broadcast in collaboration with the Welsh-language television programme Pethe.
During the announcement the presenter Lisa Gwilym interviewed two of this year’s judges, Nadia Kamil and Gareth Miles about the panel’s choices. The announcement can be viewed on the Wales Book of the Year Website: www.walesbookoftheyear.co.uk.
Judging the English-language titles this year are journalist Jasper Rees, lecturer Andrew Webb, and comedian Nadia Kamil.
Jasper Rees said: “There’s been a huge variety of poetry, fiction and non-fiction to absorb in this year’s Wales Book of the Year. What’s been thrilling is not only the high standard of the literature produced by those living in, coming from or writing about Wales, but also the breadth of subject matter. Wales and Welshness are of course an abiding preoccupation, but this year’s writers have also roamed the continents and the centuries in search of stories. From the evidence of 2013, Welsh writing in English remains conscious of its roots, but has the curiosity to spread its wings and look far beyond the horizon. Many congratulations – llongyfarchiadau mawr – to all, and above all to the nine deserving finalists.”
Lleucu Siencyn, Chief Executive of Literature Wales said: “The 2014 Wales Book of the Year Short List reflects the high standard of work published during 2013. Three categories, two languages, and eighteen authors all hoping for the title of English or Welsh-language Wales Book of the Year 2014. Each book is worth reading, and with nine weeks before the Award Ceremony, this is the perfect time to start.”
Judging the Welsh-language books for the 2014 Award are the writer Gareth Miles, poet Eurig Salisbury and blogger and writer Lowri Cooke.
Here is the Welsh-language Short List:
Poetry Short List
- Rhwng y Llinellau, Christine James (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
- Lôn Fain, Dafydd John Pritchard (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
- Trwy Ddyddiau Gwydr, Sian Northey (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
Fiction Short List
- Dewis, Ioan Kidd (Gwasg Gomer)
- Eneidiau, Aled Jones Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
- Paris, Wiliam Owen Roberts (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
Creative Non-Fiction Short List
- Ffarwél i Freiburg, Angharad Price (Gwasg Gomer)
- Y Brenhinbren, Derec Llwyd Morgan (Gwasg Gomer)
- Bob, Alan Llwyd (Gwasg Gomer)
The winners of the 2014 Award will be announced at a prestigious Award Ceremony at Galeri Caernarfon on 10 July. Each category winner will receive a prize of £2,000, and the two main winners in each language will receive an additional £6,000. Tickets for the Award Ceremony can be purchased directly from Galeri Caernarfon: 01286 685222 / www.galericaernarfon.com
At the Award Ceremony both the People’s Choice Award and Gwobr Barn y Bobl (the Welsh-language People’s Prize) will also be presented to the reading public’s favourite shortlisted titles. Visit the Wales Online website to vote for your favourite English-language title: www.walesonline.com. The Golwg360 website hosts the Welsh-language poll: www.golwg360.com.
For more information on the Wales Book of the Year Award visit: www.walesbookoftheyear.co.uk.
