The Wales Book of the Year is a Welsh

literary award A literary award or literary prize is an award presented in recognition of a particularly lauded literary piece or body of work. It is normally presented to an author. Organizations Most literary awards come with a corresponding award ceremony. Ma ...

given annually to the best

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

and English language works in the fields of fiction and

literary criticism Literary criticism (or literary studies) is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often influenced by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of literature's goals and methods. Th ...

by Welsh or Welsh interest authors. Established in 1992, the awards are currently administered by

Literature Wales Literature Wales is the Welsh national literature promotion agency and society of writers, existing to promote Welsh-language and English-language English is a West Germanic language of the Indo-European language family, with its earli ...

, and supported by the

Arts Council of Wales The Arts Council of Wales (ACW; cy, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru) is a Welsh Government-sponsored body, responsible for funding and developing the arts in Wales. Established within the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1946, as the Welsh Arts ...

Welsh Government The Welsh Government ( cy, Llywodraeth Cymru) is the Welsh devolution, devolved government of Wales. The government consists of ministers and Minister (government), deputy ministers, and also of a Counsel General for Wales, counsel general. Minist ...

and the

Welsh Books Council The Books Council of Wales (previously known as the Welsh Books Council) or Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru was established in 1961. Today it is funded by the Welsh Government. The council's aims are to promote the interests of Welsh language books and Engl ...

Competition format

The longlist of ten works in each language is published in April and the shortlist of three works in each language at the

Hay Festival The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, better known as the Hay Festival ( cy, Gŵyl Y Gelli), is an annual literature festival held in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales, for 10 days from May to June. Devised by Norman, Rhoda and Peter Florence in 1988, t ...

in May. The winners are announced in June or July. Since 2006, the winners have each received £10,000. From 2007, four runners-up (two in each language) also each receive £1000. In 2009, Media Wales sponsored a voted "People's Choice" award for the English-language works.Academi: Wales Book of the Year Longlists Announced
(accessed 23 April 2009) The format was again changed in 2012, expanding the entries to three categories, fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry; with English and Welsh language winners in each field. In 2019, a sub-category for books for children and young people was added, to be awarded from the 2020 award onwards. An overall winner in each language is still chosen. Regarding eligibility, the competition specifically excludes self-published authors. The Welsh national book award therefore differs from Ireland's national book award, since the latter does not preclude self-published titles from being nominated.

Winners

English language

Creative Non-fiction *2016: Jasmine Donahaye ''Losing Israel'' (Seren) *2014:

Meic Stephens Meic Stephens (23 July 1938 – 2 July 2018) was a Welsh literary editor, journalist, translator, and poet. Birth and education Meic Stephens was born on 23 July 1938 in the village of Treforest, near Pontypridd, Glamorgan. He was educated at ...

''Rhys Davies: A Writer's Life'' *2012:

Richard Gwyn Richard Gwyn (ca. 1537 – 15 October 1584), also known by his anglicised name, Richard White, was a Welsh teacher at illegal and underground schools and a Bard who wrote both Christian and satirical poetry in the Welsh language. A Roman ...

''The Vagabond's Breakfast'' (Alcemi) Roland Mathias Poetry Award (discontinued) *2019

Ailbhe Darcy Ailbhe Darcy (born 1981) is an Irish poet and Wales Book of the Year award laureate. Career Ailbhe Darcy was born in 1981 and grew up in Dublin. In 2015, she was awarded an MFA and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame. Darcy now lives in Ca ...

, ''Insistence'' (Bloodaxe Books) *2016

Philip Gross Philip Gross (born 1952) is a poet, novelist, playwright, children's writer and academic based in England and Wales. He is currently Professor of Creative Writing at the University of South Wales. Biography Philip Gross was born in 1952 at Del ...

– ''Love Songs of Carbon'' (Bloodaxe Books) *2015

Tiffany Atkinson Tiffany Atkinson (born 1972) is a British academic and award-winning poet. In 1993, she moved to Wales, where after completing her studies in Cardiff, she became a lecturer in English and Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. In 2014, she ...

– ''So Many Moving Parts'' (Bloodaxe Books) *2014

Owen Sheers Owen Sheers (born 20 September 1974) is a Welsh poet, author, playwright and television presenter. He was the first writer in residence to be appointed by any national rugby union team. Early life Owen Sheers was born in Suva, Fiji in 1974, and b ...

– ''Pink Mist'' (Faber & Faber) *2012

Gwyneth Lewis Gwyneth Denver Davies (born 1959), known professionally as Gwyneth Lewis, is a Welsh poet, who was the inaugural National Poet of Wales in 2005. She wrote the text that appears over the Wales Millennium Centre. Biography Gwyneth Lewis was b ...

– ''Sparrow Tree'' (Bloodaxe Books)

Welsh language

Fiction *2022:

Ffion Dafis Ffion is a Welsh language, Welsh feminine given name meaning foxglove. People with this name *Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Welsh actress and singer *Ffion Bowen, Welsh rugby union player *Ffion Davies, Welsh practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu *Ffion Lew ...

, ''Mori'' *2021: Megan Angharad Hunter, ''tu ôl i'r awyr'' (Y Lolfa) *2020:

Ifan Morgan Jones Ifan may refer to: People *Ifan (given name), list of people with this name * Ifan Evans (born 1983), Welsh rugby union player * Wil Ifan * The nickname of Riefian Fajarsyah of a former Seventeen member, disbanded by 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami. ...

, ''Babel'' *2019:

Manon Steffan Ros Manon Steffan Ros (born 19 January 1983) is a Welsh novelist, playwright, games author, scriptwriter and musician (being one half of the acoustic duo 'Blodau Gwylltion'). She is the author of over twenty children's books and three novels for adu ...

, ''Llyfr Glas Nebo'' (Y Lolfa) *2016:

Caryl Lewis Caryl Lewis (born 7 July 1978) is a Welsh novelist. She won the Wales Book of the Year in 2005 with her novel ''Martha Jac a Sianco'', which was adapted into a film in 2008. Biography Lewis was brought up in Aberaeron until she was 12. Then she ...

''Y Bwthyn'' *2015:

Gareth F. Williams Gareth Finlay Williams (9 February 1955 – 14 September 2016) was a Welsh language author who wrote novels for children and adults, as well as creating many television drama series. Life Williams was born in Porthmadog, as the son of Hugh F ...

''Awst yn Anogia'' (Gwasg Gwynedd) *2014: Ioan Kidd ''Dewis'' (

Gomer Gomer ( he, ''Gōmer'', ; el, Γαμὲρ, translit=Gamér) was the eldest son of Japheth (and of the Japhetic line), and father of Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah, according to the "Table of Nations" in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 10). The epo ...

) *2013:

Heini Gruffudd Heini is both a given name and a surname. It is mainly a masculine given name in German-speaking countries, but a feminine given name in Finland. However, in Wales, it is a both masculine and feminine given name, meaning 'healthy and spirited'. Cur ...

, ''Yr Erlid '' *2012:

Jon Gower Jon is a shortened form of the common given name Jonathan, derived from "YHWH has given", and an alternate spelling of John, derived from "YHWH has pardoned".Gomer Gomer ( he, ''Gōmer'', ; el, Γαμὲρ, translit=Gamér) was the eldest son of Japheth (and of the Japhetic line), and father of Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah, according to the "Table of Nations" in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 10). The epo ...

) *2011:

Ned Thomas Ned (Edward Morley) Thomas is a Welsh intellectual, editor and cultural commentator in the fields of politics, literature and language. His earlier works are in English while his more recent output is in Welsh. He writes from a background of fam ...

, ''Bydoedd'' (Y Lolfa) *2010: John Davies, ''Cymru: Y 100 lle i'w gweld cyn marw'' (Y Lolfa) *2009:

Wiliam Owen Roberts Wiliam Owen Roberts (born 1960) is a Welsh language novelist and writer of plays for radio, television and theatre. He was born in Bangor, Gwynedd, and studied Welsh Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of Wales from 1978 to 1981. Hi ...

''Petrograd'' ( Cyhoeddiadau Barddas) *2008:

Gareth Miles Gareth Miles is a Welsh-language author, translator, and a founder of . He is a Marxist and translated Hamlet into the Welsh language from that perspective. In 2008 his book won the Wales Book of the Year The Wales Book of the Year is a Welsh ...

''Y Proffwyd a'l Ddwy Jesebel'' ( Hutchinson) *2007:

Llwyd Owen Llwyd Owen is a Welsh language, Welsh-language fiction author born in Cardiff in 1977. He lives in Cardiff with his wife and daughters and works as a translator when not writing fiction. As well as publishing six acclaimed Welsh language novels an ...

''Ffydd Gobaith Cariad'' (

Y Lolfa Y Lolfa (Welsh for ''The Lounge'', ) is a Welsh printing and publishing company based in Tal-y-bont, Ceredigion, in Mid-Wales. It publishes a wide variety of books in Welsh and English. It also provides a commercial print service. Y Lolfa was est ...

) *2006:

Rhys Evans Rhys Karl Evans (born 27 January 1982) is an English former professional footballer and goalkeeper coach. He played as a goalkeeper, who won two England under-21 caps. Born in Swindon, Wiltshire, he began his career with Chelsea, where he stay ...

''Gwynfor: Rhag Pob Brad'' (Y Lolfa) *2005:

''Martha, Jac a Sianco'' (Y Lolfa) *2004:

Jerry Hunter T. Gerald Hunter, more commonly known as Jerry Hunter, is an American graduate of the University of Cincinnati (BA), Aberystwyth (MPhil) and Harvard University (PhD). Originally from Cincinnati, he now lives in Wales and has held academic posts at ...

''Llwch Cenhedloedd'' (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch) *2003:

Angharad Price Angharad Price is a Welsh academic and novelist. She is a recipient of the Glyndŵr Award. Biography Price was born in Bethel, Gwynedd, Wales, the daughter of the Welsh historian . She graduated with a BA and DPhil in Modern Languages fr ...

''O! Tyn y Gorchudd'' (Gomer) *2002:

Grahame Davies Grahame Davies LVO (born 1964) is a poet, author, editor, librettist, literary critic and former journalist. He was brought up in the former coal mining village of Coedpoeth near Wrexham in north east Wales. Education After gaining a degree i ...

''Cadwyni Rhyddid'' (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas) *2001: Owen Martell ''Cadw dy ffydd, brawd'' (Gomer) *2000:

''Y Llofrudd Iaith'' (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas) *1999:

R. M. Jones R. or r. may refer to: * ''Reign'', the period of time during which an Emperor, king, queen, etc., is ruler. * '' Rex'', abbreviated as R., the Latin word meaning King * ''Regina'', abbreviated as R., the Latin word meaning Queen * or , abbreviat ...

''Ysbryd y Cwlwm: Delwedd y Genedl yn ein Llenyddiaeth'' (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru) *1998:

Iwan Llwyd An iwan ( fa, ایوان , ar, إيوان , also spelled ivan) is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. The formal gateway to the iwan is called , a Persian term for a portal projecting ...

''Dan Ddylanwad'' (Gwasg Tâf) *1997: Gerwyn Wiliams ''Tir Neb: Rhyddiaith Gymraeg a’r Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf'' (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru) *1996:

Sonia Edwards Sonia Edwards is a Wales, Welsh poet and writer who writes primarily in Welsh. She is a recipient of the Tir na n-Og Award. Life Edwards was born in Cemaes on the island of Anglesey. She is known as a writer of books in Welsh although she also ...

''Glöynnod'' (Gwasg Gwynedd) *1995: Aled Islwyn ''Unigolion, Unigeddau'' (Gomer) *1994: T. Robin Chapman ''W.J. Gruffydd'' (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru) *1993:

Robin Llywelyn Robin Llywelyn (born 24 November 1958) is a Welsh novelist, writing in both Welsh and English. His works include ''From Empty Harbour to White Ocean'', winner of the National Eisteddfod Prose Medal. He is also the managing director of Portmeirion L ...

''Seren Wen ar Gefndir Gwyn'' (Gomer) *1992:

Gerallt Lloyd Owen Gerallt Lloyd Owen (6 November 1944 – 15 July 2014) was a Welsh-language poet who lived in Llandwrog. He is considered to be one of Wales's leading "strict-metre" poets. Works Owen began as a "political poet" in the 1960s, often using medieval ...

''Cilmeri'' (Gwasg Gwynedd) Creative non-fiction *2016: Gruffydd Aled Williams ''Dyddiau Olaf Owain Glyndŵr'' (Y Lolfa) *2014:

Alan Llwyd Alan Llwyd (born 1948), original name Alan Lloyd Roberts, is a Welsh poet, literary critic and editor. He is one of the most prolific Welsh-language poets in the last quarter of the 20th century. He is also known under the Bardic name Meilir Emry ...

''Bob: Cofiant R. Williams Parry 1884 – 1956'' (Gomer) *2012:

Allan James Alan James is a South African writer, now living in Australia. A former law lecturer, and the founder of the poetry journal ''Upstream'', he has published seven collections of poetry. In 1995, James received the Olive Schreiner Prize for ''Morning ...

''John Morris-Jones'' Roland Mathias Poetry Award *2016:

Mererid Hopwood Mererid Hopwood (born February 1964) is a Welsh poet. She became in 2001 the first woman to win the bardic chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Teaching Originally from Cardiff, Hopwood graduated with first-class honours in Spanish and Ge ...

''Nes Draw'' (Gwasg Gomer) *2014:

Christine James Christine James (born 2 February 1954) is a Welsh poet and academic. She served as the first female Archdruid of Wales from June 2013 until June 2016. She first presided over the ceremonies at the National Eisteddfod in the 2013 Eisteddfod in Denb ...

''Rhwng y Llinellau'' (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas) *2012:

Karen Owen The 2010 Duke University faux sex thesis controversy arose from a private 42-page PowerPoint document written by a Duke University senior, Karen Owen, in the format of a thesis about her sexual experiences during her time attending the university. ...

''Siarad Trwy’i Het''

References

{{Reflist

External links

Literature Wales: Wales Book of the YearWalesOnline: Book of the yearWales Book of the Year at lovethebook
British fiction awards British non-fiction literary awards British poetry awards Welsh literary awards Awards established in 1992 1992 establishments in Wales English-language literary awards Welsh-language literary awards