Friends' Information Packs

The latest information pack about the book trade in Wales has been distributed to members of the Friends of the Books Council.

The pack includes information about all the Christmas titles, a book voucher to be redeemed against any book and a free copy of the Welsh Book Studies journal.

For an annual fee of only £10, membership of the Friends is a great bargain for anyone interested in books from Wales.

Christmas Books on Radio Cymru

From now until Christmas, Sian Thomas’s Welsh-language afternoon radio series on Radio Cymru will have a weekly programme featuring books. In association with the Books Council, the four half-hour programmes will include author interviews, reviews and competitions. Publishers have already presented a range of popular titles as prizes.

The programmes will be transmitted on Thursday afternoons at 2 pm, beginning on Thursday, 24 November. The first programme will feature children’s books and the following programmes will highlight books for teenagers and the excellent range of titles available for adults.

Books for Christmas

The Books Council has once again produced two attractive supplements featuring a range of Christmas titles. Books from Wales features English-language books and the supplement is distributed with the Western Mail. Gwledd y Nadolig focuses on Welsh-language books and has been distributed through the papurau bro (local community newspapers).

Where better to start looking for those special Christmas presents? In these supplements you’ll find a range of books to suit everyone, of all ages.

Alun Creunant Davies
 
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Alun Creunant Davies, former Director of the Books Council and Chairman of the Friends. He died peacefully on Wednesday 26 October.
 
Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, Director of the Books Council, said: ‘Publishing in Wales has lost one of its great benefactors. Alun Creunant Davies was the first Director of the Books Council and took up his position on St David’s Day 1965. Under his leadership and vision, the Council grew from its humble origins to become a key agency in the field of publishing in Wales.
 
Although he retired in 1987 he maintained a keen interest in the work of the Books Council and was currently Chairman of the Friends. He will be sorely missed.’

CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
 
The 2005 Tir Na n-Og Awards were presented by Alun Pugh, the Minister for Culture, Welsh language and Sport at a ceremony in the Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
 
The award winners this year were:

Best English-language Book The Seal Children, Jackie Morris (Frances Lincoln)
Best Welsh-language Fiction Eco, Emily Huws (Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion)
Best Welsh-language Non-Fiction Byd Llawn Hud, Ceri Wyn Jones, Tudur Dylan, Mererid Hopwood, Sonia Edwards, Elinor Wyn Reynold. Illustrated by Chris Glynn (Gomer)

MERERID AMONGST THE FRIENDS
 
The Friends of the Books Council held their General Meeting at Aberystwyth on Saturday, 15 October and welcomed the poet Mererid Hopwood as guest speaker.
 
In conversation with Professor M. Wynn Thomas she discussed her love of words and her enthusiasm for books and reading.
 
At the end of the meeting Professor Thomas presented Mererid with a copy of the new Welsh-language version of the Scrabble board game – an ideal gift for someone hooked on words!

WINNERS OF THE PUBLISHING TRADE AWARDS
 
The first ever Publishing Trade Awards in Wales, organised by the Welsh Books Council, were presented on Saturday, 1 October by Alun Pugh, Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport.
 
Alun Pugh said, ‘I am delighted to see the establishing of these awards, which recognise the success of the publishing industry in Wales.’
 
The awards were specially commissioned from Carwyn Evans, an artist rapidly establishing a strong reputation in Wales, and presented to the winners at a prestigious ceremony in Aberystwyth hosted by TV presenter Elinor Jones and attended by readers from all over Wales.
 
The winners are as follows:
 
English-language Books from Wales
 
Bestseller – Fiction
Sexy Shorts for Summer, ed. Hazel Cushion, Accent Press
 
Bestseller – Poetry
The Hare that Hides Within, eds. Anne Cluysenaar & Norman Schwenk, Parthian
 
Bestseller – Non-fiction
Welsh Valleys’ Humour, David Jandrell, Y Lolfa
 
Bestseller – Children
A Wartime Scrapbook, Chris S. Stephens, Pont Books/Gomer
 
Most Borrowed Library Book
Sexy Shorts for Summer, ed. Hazel Cushion, Accent Press
Welsh-language Books
 
Bestseller – Fiction
Un Diwrnod yn yr Eisteddfod, Robin Llywelyn, Gomer
 
Bestseller – Poetry
Hoff Gerddi Nadolig Cymru, ed. Bethan Mair, Gomer
 
Bestseller – Non-fiction
Y Dyn’i Hun, Hywel Gwynfryn, Gwasg Gwynedd
 
Bestseller – Children
Jac y Jwc ar y Fferm, Dylan Williams & Gordon Jones, Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion
 
Most Borrowed Library Book
Y Dyn yn y Cefn heb Fwstásh, Eirug Wyn, Y Lolfa
 
 
‘The ceremony was a resounding success,’ said Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, Director of the Welsh Books Council, ‘and as we congratulate each individual publisher we recognise and acknowledge the exciting developments within the book trade in Wales over the last few years.’
 
The awards were kindly sponsored by the following organisations – VISTA Computer Services, Welsh Development Agency, Western Mail, StrataMatrix and CILIP Cymru/Wales.

LIBRARIES SUPPORTING BOOKS FROM WALES
 
The Welsh Books Council recently commissioned two reports on the sourcing and purchasing of books by libraries in Wales. One report focused on Welsh Writing in English while the other focused on Welsh-language books. The reports and recommendations, produced by Professor Hywel Roberts, have now been published and can be viewed on the Book Council’s website.
Click here to view.

Udmurt Visit
 
Delegates from the Udmurt region of Russia visited the Welsh Books Council in Aberystwyth recently, led by Larisa Buranova, the Culture Minister.
 
They were interested in the work of the Books Council and in the latest developments within the book trade in Wales.

Book of the Year 2005
 
The Wales Book of the Year 2005 English-language award was won by Owen Sheers for his novel The Dust Diaries (Faber).
 
Alun Pugh, Minister for Culture, Language and Sport, handed a cheque for £10,000 in a gold-coloured envelope in a ceremony held in Cardiff.
 
Charlotte Williams, chair of the English-language judging panel, said of The Dust Diaries: ‘It is a beautifully written and remarkably accomplished book, particularly in its mix of travelogue, fiction, biography, investigative journalism and historical accounts. It is both timely and timeless.’
 
The winner of the Welsh-language Wales Book of the Year Award 2005 was Caryl Lewis for her novel Martha, Jac a Sianco (Y Lolfa).

Capital Funding
 
Whilst visiting the Books Council recently, Alun Pugh, the Minister for Culture, the Welsh language and Sport, announced that the Council would receive £31,000 of additional capital funding this year. Part of the funding will be invested in a new server for the www.gwales.com  website.
 
The capital funding I am making available to the Welsh Books Council will be used to upgrade both hardware and software of the gwales website, thus making it even more user-friendly for customers from all over the world,’ said Alun Pugh.

THE FRIENDS OF THE BOOKS COUNCIL
 
The Friends of the Books Council will be holding their General Meeting in Aberystwyth on Saturday, 15 October 2005.
 
During the meeting the members will have an opportunity to elect new officers to the Steering Committee and to hear Professor M. Wynn Thomas interview Mererid Hopwood about her work.
 
For an annual subscription of £10, the members of the Friends receive regular information about books from Wales, a personal copy of the Friends’ newsletter and other additional benefits.
 
If you would like to join the Friends, please contact elwyn.jones@wbc.org.uk

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY                      
 
A one-day festival of readings, discussions, signings and much more, including the announcement of the winners of the first Publishing Trade Awards.
 
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Saturday, 1 October 2005
 
Authors appearing include:
 
Simon Brett
Lindsay Ashford
Jasper Fforde
John Williams
Iris Gower
Ruth Joseph
Geraint Vaughan Jones
Hywel Gwynfryn
Lyn Ebenezer
 
For further information contact elwyn.jones@wbc.org.uk

THE TIR NA N-OG AWARDS 2005

WINNERS

Best English-language book with an authentic Welsh background
The Seal Children
Jackie Morris (Frances Lincoln)

Highly commended:
In Chatter Wood
Jac Jones (Pont Books)

Best Welsh-language Fiction
Eco
Emily Huws (Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion)

Highly commended:
I’r Tir Tywyll
Elgan Philip Davies (Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion)

Best Welsh-language non-fiction
Byd Llawn Hud
(Gwasg Gomer)

PRESENTATION TO THE CHAIRMAN
 
Dr Lionel Madden has retired as Chair of the Welsh Books Council following nine years in the post. At the half-yearly meeting of the Council held in Aberystwyth on 30 June, the members had an opportunity to thank him for his remarkable contribution over the years.
 
Professor M. Wynn Thomas, who succeeds Dr Madden as Chair, presented him with the four volumes of the University of Wales Welsh Dictionary as a token of appreciation for his services.

BOOKS AT THE ROYAL WELSH
 
The Books Council will once again have a stand at this year’s Royal Welsh Show at Builth (18 – 21 July) and thousands of people are expected to flock there from all over Wales and beyond.
 
If you are visiting the show you will be most welcome at our stand (D314) to see the excellent selection of the latest published titles.

S4C APPEAL
 
As part of this S4C’s Asia Africa Appeal, the TV chef Dudley Newbery visited the Books Council’s offices in Aberystwyth.
 
During his visit the staff had an opportunity to present him with a cheque towards the appeal and to present Dudley with two books on Welsh art. Dudley had been on a week-long tour of Wales collecting money towards the appeal.
 
‘We knew of Dudley’s interest in art,’ said Delyth Humphreys on behalf of the Books Council, ‘and we were delighted that we were able to present the books to him as a mark of our appreciation.’

SEMINAR: CREATIVE EDITING
 
The Books Council has arranged a creative editing seminar for Welsh-language publishers, authors and editors. The seminar will be held at Llety Parc hotel, Aberystwyth, on Saturday, 2 July.
 
As well as an opportunity to hear about the new opportunities for authors, the delegates will hear from experienced authors and editors about the creative editing process.
 
For further details contact Dewi Morris Jones at the Welsh Books Council on 01970 624151 or cllc.golygyddol@cllc.org.uk

WELSH-LANGUAGE CHILDREN’S POET LAUREATE

On Tuesday, 31 May, during a ceremony at the Urdd Youth Eisteddfod, Wales Millennium Centre, it was announced that Mererid Hopwood is the Children’s Poet Laureate (Bardd Plant Cymru) for 2005–2006. Mererid will hold poetry workshops in schools throughout Wales, as well as e-mail workshops, during the year.

Book of the Year 2005 Shortlist

Remember Me
Trezza Azzopardi (Picador)

The Land as Viewed from the Sea
Richard Collins (Seren)

The Dust Diaries
Owen Sheers (Faber)

Hi yw fy Ffrind
Bethan Gwanas (Y Lolfa)

Martha, Jac a Sianco
Caryl Lewis (Y Lolfa)

Rhwng y Nefoedd a Las Vegas
Elin Llwyd Morgan (Y Lolfa)

THE 2005 TIR NA N-OG AWARDS
 
The Welsh Books Council has announced the titles on the short list of the prestigious Tir na n-Og Awards 2005 which recognise the exceptional quality and range of books for children and teenagers.
 
The Awards are presented annually by the Books Council to acknowledge the work of authors and illustrators of children’s books in three categories: the best English-language title, the best Welsh-language fiction and the best Welsh-language non-fiction book.  The awards are sponsored by CILIP Wales.
 
‘It is a great honour for these authors and publishers to have their books on the short list,’ said Menna Lloyd Williams, Head of the Books Council’s Children’s Books Department, ‘as the awards reflect the best of children’s books from Wales.’
 
The winners of the Awards will be announced later in the year.
 
The following titles have been nominated for this year’s short list:
 
Best English-language Title
In Chatter Wood, Jac Jones (Pont Books)
Nat, Margaret Jones (Pont Books)
The Seal Children, Jackie Morris (Frances Lincoln)
Turning Points in Welsh History 1485–1914, Stuart Broomfield, Euryn Madoc-Jones (University of Wales Press)
 
Best Welsh-language Fiction
Eco, Emily Huws (Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion)
Graffiti, Angharad Devonald (Dref Wen)
Gwas y Stabl, Mair Wynn Hughes (Gomer)
I’r Tir Tywyll, Elgan Philip Davies (Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion)
 
Best Welsh-language non-fiction
Byd Llawn Hud (Gwasg Gomer)
Chwyldro! Chwyldro?, Robin Evans (Canolfan Astudiaethau Addysg)
Dwli o Ddifri, Ceri Wyn Jones (Gwasg Gomer)
Hen Wragedd a Ffyn ac Eira Gwyn, gol. Myrddin ap Dafydd (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

BRANCHING OUT CONFERENCE
 
The Branching Out Conference was held in Cardiff recently with an opportunity to hear about all the exciting projects to promote reading in libraries.
 
During the conference, the Books Council presented information packs – for use by reading group leaders – to the representatives of all library authorities in Wales. The pack was prepared by Bethan Hughes of Denbighshire Library Authority.

CHILDREN’S BOOKS CATALOUGES
 
The Books Council have produced two catalogues of children’s books recently.  Wales in English promotes a list of 650 titles of books and other educational materials.  The Welsh-language catalogue, Catalog Llyfrau Plant ac Adnoddau Addysgol, has been published in cooperation with ACCAC.

Both catalogues have been distributed to schools, bookshops and libraries throughout Wales.

BARDSEY POET WINS AWARD
 
Poet Christine Evans – who divides her time between her homes on the Llŷn Peninsula and Bardsey Island – has been announced as the first winner of the Roland Mathias Prize.
 
The prize, established to reward Welsh writing in English and worth £2,000 was awarded at a special ceremony in Brecon.
 
Chairman of the judging panel, Glyn Mathias – and son of Roland Mathias – said: ‘Welsh writing in English is going from strength to strength and the Roland Mathias Prize is designed to help it flourish.’
 
Christine Evans secured the award for Selected Poems (Seren), a collection that draws much of its inspiration from the island of Bardsey and its people.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WORLD BOOK DAY
 
World Book Day was a great success again this year with numerous events being organised across Wales. This was the seventh year for the celebrations to be held in Wales which seem to go from strength to strength.
 
‘We would like to thank everyone who supported World Book Day,’ said Delyth Humphreys on behalf of the Books Council. ‘It’s great to see so many people enjoying the pleasure gained from books and reading.’
 
During the World Book Day lecture which was held at the National Assembly this year, Jane Davidson, the Minister for Education, announced that the World Book Day activities in Wales would be funded for a further three years.