The digital home of Welsh culture.

The digital home of Welsh culture.

Menu

Theme: Literature

Pwysigrwydd Golygyddion Creadigol

Bethan Gwanas sy’n darganfod mwy am swydd yr olygydd creadigol, ffrind gorau unrhyw awdur, am gyfnod o leiaf. Heb olygyddion creadigol buasai llyfrau awduron ddim hanner cystal. Un o’r goreuon yw Nia Roberts sy’n gweithio i Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.  Dyma rifyn arbennig o Colli’r Plot. Mwynhewch y sgwrs.

Awen BRO- Llenyddiaeth Cymru yn Croesi Ffinniau

This is a film about Sue Walton, a Welsh learner from Penrhyndeudraeth. First winner of budding literary translator participating in Literature Wales’ new Mentoring Scheme for literary translator / writer.
Myrddin ap Dafydd, a writer for whom Sue has worked on several volumes, said, “I personally would not choose another translator for my creative work”
With the new mentorship scheme Sue is looking forward to translating Sian Northey’s first book Yn y Tŷ Hwn

Parthian and the New Welsh Review announce new publishing partnership

Parthian and the New Welsh Review have announced a new partnership which will secure the intellectual legacy of the groundbreaking literary magazine in print and online.

The partnership will also provide a publishing home for Rarebyte imprint book authors (established by NWR editor Gwen Davies in 2015).

The New Welsh Review was founded in 1988 and has provided an unrivalled window into the development of Welsh writing in English while looking out to the wider world.

Pennod 36 – Elis Gruffydd (Rhan 1)

Elis Gruffydd (Part 1)

This is an introduction to a remarkable Welsh author, Elis Gruffydd, a Welshman from Flintshire who served as a soldier in Henry VIII’s army and who was a member of the garrison of Calais. It was there on the continent that he wrote is long chronicle, a history of the world from the Biblical Creation to the start of the 1550s, the longest narrative text ever written in the Welsh language. 

His life spanned the first half of the age of the Tudors, and it’s possible to describe Elis Gruffydd with an apparent contradiction and say that he was a completely unique author who was completely characteristic of his age. One can see the bridging between the old age and the new in his written work, as he went at it ambitiously to record so much knowledge in his native language. Given the fact that Elis discusses his own life in the last part of his chronicle, can it be said that this is the first autobiography in the Welsh language? We also ask why more Welsh people today don’t know about this interesting Welsh writer and his remarkable work? Is it because he was a Welshman who was very loyal to the English monarchy and its army?

a limestone glossary

An audio-visual introduction to ‘a limestone glossary’ by Julie Upmeyer and Mari Rose Pritchard. Hear the artists in discussion about the book and their ongoing project ‘Void Fraction’ – an artistic exploration of limestone, limestone quarries and their by-products.

More about the book


Traditionally a glossary is an alphabetical list of terms specific to a particular subject or field, a glimpse into an internal language. ‘a limestone glossary’ keeps this function at is core, while exploring the possibilities of a glossary as a visual experience. The glossary encompasses English, Welsh and Turkish-languages entires.

Supported by Wales Arts International as part of the International Opportunities Fund.

Crank up the Volumes: Tir na n-Og Awards 2023 Winner

The Tir na n-Og 2024 shortlist will be announced this week. 

On our podcast, Crank uo the Volumes, authors Emily Lloyd-Jones, winner of the Tir na n-Og 2023 English language category with her novel The Drowned Woods, and Matt Brown, winner of the Readers’ Choice award with The Mab, join Francesca Sciarrillo to discuss myths, the Mabinogi and the magic of creating stories for young readers. 

Pennod 35 – Gwydnwch Hen Draddodiad

The Persistence of an Old Tradition (Pod 35 – Series 2, Episode 2)

The last episode outlined the big changes which came during the ag of the Tudors. This episode considers the way in which these changes effected the Welsh bardic tradition. But despite of the transformations, we see while examining some praise poetry from the early part of the perioed that ancient aspects of the tradition continue while that tradition evolves and absorbs new elements. Indeed, a combination of the old and the new is what makes this period in the history of Welsh literature so interesting.

Although every part of Wales was redrawn in the form of English shires during Henry VIII’s reign, we note that the Welsh bardic order continued to think of the country’s geography in ancient Welsh terms as well. And while some Protestant historians suggested that the monasteries of Wales were rotten institutions by the time that Henry VIII disestablished them, we see that some of them continued to be vibrant cultural and religious centres right up to the end.

Encil Preswyl Kathod

Literature Wales and the Kathod project are delighted to announce the names of the 10 participants who have been selected to attend our Kathod retreat.

Tom the Lion: Hazel’s Helping Hand by John Likeman

Tom the Lion: Hazel’s Helping Hand by John Likeman is our February Book of the Month.

Tom the Lion feels lonely and upset, but feels better after spending time with other people.

This series of books for children promotes literacy, wellbeing and good mental health, following the NEF’s Five Ways to Wellbeing model.

John Likeman shares more about the books.

Available now from your local bookshop.

#LoveReading #ChooseBookshops #BookOfTheMonth

Pennod 34 – Cyfnod Newydd?

A New Period?

This is the first episode in the second series of ‘Yr Hen Iaith’! We begin discussing the Welsh literature of the sixteenth century by considering those developments which allow use to differentiate between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. One of the things which is so interesting about this period is seeing how Welsh poets and writers adapted and reacted as society changed during the first half of the sixteenth century.

It can’t be denied that political, technological, religious and educational developments combined to transform society in Wales during this period. Yet we also stress that Welsh literature develops in its own unique way and note that the strength o Welsh tradition allows us to see this ‘periodization’ in a completely different light?

Sgwennu’n Well: Cyhoeddi Mentoriaid | Writing Well: Announcing the Mentors

Sgwennu’n Well | Writing Well is a 12-month development programme in two parts for literary facilitators in Wales funded and delivered by Literature Wales. Part one offers intense training aiming to enhance the skills needed to facilitate literary activities in the community, and part two will support the cohort of facilitators to create and deliver participatory projects which benefit the health and well-being of participants. Find out more about the programme.


We are delighted to announce the names of the 6 celebrated participatory artists who will provide mentoring to the current Writing Well cohort.’

Dr Tracy Breathnach

Iola Ynyr

Christina Thatcher

Kittie Belltree

Cecilia Knapp

clare.e.potter.

Sut i Drefnu Priodas Pum Mil – Trystan Ellis-Morris, Emma Walford ac Alaw Griffiths

Cyfrol llawn cynghorion, syniadau ac awgrymiadau ar sut i fynd ati i drefnu’r diwrnod priodas perffaith, gan gyflwynwyr a threfnydd priodasau proffesiynol y gyfres boblogaidd Priodas Pum Mil. I ddathlu cyhoeddi’r gyfrol bydd Trystan Ellis-Morris, Emma Walford ac Alaw Griffiths yn teithio i rai o siopau llyfrau Cymru: Dydd Mercher, Chwefror 21 11am Sesiwn lofnodi […]

We are open for pitches!

I am looking to commission LGBTQ+ writers covering queer culture, from interviews to features & reviews to hot new takes.

I am looking for evergreen, niche and current, but if it is the latter make sure it has a strong hook 💫

Email Damian Kerlin – hello@damiankerlin.com 📧

Aberration presents Double Lives

Aberration celebrates LGBTQ+ History Month with ‘Double Lives’ – an enthralling evening of talks and performances. All welcome. 

Groundbreaking performer Tom Marshman presents painful, beautiful and hilarious anecdotes from his new theatre piece about Section 28 (the infamous 1988 law that banned schools and councils from ‘promoting homosexuality’). Historian Norena Shopland and Aberration’s own Jane Hoy bring to life Katherine Philips, the 17C woman-loving poet known as the Welsh Sappho (now poster girl for Double Lives!). Archaeologist Alessandro Ceccarelli shows how objects in Welsh collections can cast light on LGBTQ+ desire, love and identities. And author Alis Hawkins talks about her gripping new crime novel A Bitter Remedy with our host Helen Sandler. Plus bookstall from Gayberystwyth Books, and raffle for AllOut. 

‘Aberystwyth’s finest queer night’ – Alys Fowler in the Guardian
Generously supported by Aberystwyth University.

Tickets Here

The Great AI Scam

Considering the rise of AI in journalism, Cheryl Morgan argues the risks outweigh the rewards.

The People’s Newsroom

Organisation logo

The stories we tell each other inform what is possible between us. They enable us to see new ways of relating and being in the world, with one another and with nature. We believe collective storytelling can be at the heart of the transformational changes that our society needs.   That’s why The People’s Newsroom […]

Lansio ‘Sut i Drefnu Priodas Pum Mil’

Llyfr sy’n cynnwys awgrymiadau sut i fynd ati i drefnu’r diwrnod priodas perffaith gan gyfeirio at brofiadau’r tri cyflwynydd o drefnu’r holl briodasau ar gyfer y gyfres deledu ar S4C, ‘Priodas Pum Mil’. Dyma lyfr anrheg perffaith i bâr sydd newydd ddyweddïo, neu i unrhyw ffan o’r rhaglen deledu sydd am wybod mwy am y cyffro a’r cyfrinachau y tu ôl i’r camera.

Prynwch eich copi yma!

Sebra

Organisation logo

Sebra’s books entertain, challenge and offer fresh and contemporary perspectives which are relevant in Wales and beyond. The stripes on each zebra are unique. Our aim too is to bring something new to readers which will encourage them to step into the unknown with us.

Sut i Ddofi Corryn – Mari George

Stori Muriel sydd yma, a’i thaith arwrol i geisio cael gwellhad i’w gŵr, Ken. Maen nhw’n bâr priod yn eu pedwardegau pan gaiff Ken wybod ei fod yn marw o ganser. Ond dechrau’r daith yw’r Muriel ifanc, tair ar ddeg oed, pan ddaw hi o hyd i’r llyfr hynafol, Llyfr Corynnod y Mwmbwls…

Bachwch eich copi yma!

Gwreiddio: Straeon byrion am fyw yn y wlad

Casgliad o wyth stori fer sy’n mynd i’r afael â gwahanol agweddau o fyw yng nghefn gwlad Cymru yn yr oes sydd ohoni yw’r gyfrol hon. Lleolir pob stori mewn cymuned wledig, amaethyddol, wrth i’r cymeriadau wynebu pob math o heriau – unigrwydd, colli tir ac etifeddiaeth, y tyndra rhwng yr hen ffordd o fyw a’r angen i symud ymlaen ac arallgyfeirio.

Awduron: Haf Llewelyn, Megan Elenid Davies, Heiddwen Tomos, Bethan Gwanas, Geraint Lewis, Elen Hannah Davies, John Roberts, Llyr Titus.

Prynwch eich copi yma!

Pennod 33 – Cyflwyno’r Ail Gyfres

Introducing our second series 

Here’s looking forward to the second series, which will concentrate on literature of the early modern period, starting with challenging transformations that came in the Tudor period.

ImpactArdawiad – Angharad Pearce Jones

ImpactArdawiad by Angharad Pearce Jones is one of our January Books of the Month.

This book celebrates the work of the artist Angharad Pearce Jones, and is also a companion to her exhibition at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, ImpactArdawiad.

With contributions from Ffion Rhys, Dylan Huw, Beca Brown, Ali Anwar as well as Angharad Pearce Jones in her own words.

More about Angharad Pearce Jones and ImpactArdawiad, in this film by Culture Colony shared with their permission.

Find the book at your local bookshop.

Pennod 32 – Diwedd yr Oesau Canol

Dyma ni’n cloi’r gyfres gyntaf a chlywed bod llênbaras Richard Wyn Jones wedi lleihau erbyn. Hefyd, er ein bod ni wedi gorffen trafod yr Oesau Canol, mae Jerry Hunter yn pwysleisio bod hanes llenyddiaeth Gymraeg yn unigryw ac wedi datblygu mewn modd unigryw. 

Cyflwynwyd gan: Yr Athro Jerry Hunter a’r Athro Richard Wyn Jones
Cynhyrchwyd gan: Richard Martin
Cerddoriaeth: Might Have Done gan The Molenes

Sue Kent – Garden Notes

Garden Notes was written and designed by award-winning designer Sue Kent with the aim of creating a record for all of your gardening needs. This book is the perfect tool to ensure successful gardening, combining note taking for seeds, plants and garden design, together with helpful planting information, plant and soil health pointers, pruning tips, gardener health tips and much more. Garden Notes is a practical combination of useful forms for keeping your garden records and extensive tips and tricks, all helpfully categorised for ease of recording and reference.

Prynwch eich copi yma // Get your copy here

Choose Love (Reading)

Choose Love is a cycle of poems that highlights the experience of those forced to become refugees. The core of the collection was written in 2018 as part of a project with the charity Refugee Trauma Initiative.

With the permission of both individual refugees and aid workers, RTI shared with Nicola a number of true and poignant stories which were then used as the basis for short-form poems. Over the following years Nicola has added to this core of poems to create a coherent collection on the theme of forced migration, its wider causes and consequences.

Get your copy here