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Woman’s Wales? Edited by Emma Schofield

Woman’s Wales? The Dissonance and Diversity of Devolution through the Lives of Women in Wales, edited by Emma Schofield is our Book of The Month. 

This collection brings together leading voices from female writers, artists, commentators, and academics to reflect on how devolution has affected them and altered our political and social landscapes. 

Contributors include: Emma Schofield, Mari Ellis Dunning, Jasmine Donahaye, Norena Shopland, Rae Howells, Cerith Mathias, Michelle Deininger, Grace Quantock, Krystal S. Lowe, Sophie Buchaillard, Nansi Eccott, Jessica Laimann, Yvonne Murphy and Manon Steffan Ros. 

Woman’s Wales? will be launched on 31 May 2024 at 7:00pm at Storyville Books, Pontypridd, with Emma Schofield, Grace Quantock and Cerith Mathias. 

Tickets available HERE 

Here is an exclusive extract from the book.

Pennod 40 – Dyneiddiaeth Gymreig

Welsh Humanism

This episode presents a subject which will be central to the next episodes as well – sixteenth-century humanism. Because Glyndŵr’s rebellion failed, Wales did not have its own universities at the time, and so the privileged Welshmen with enough resources to attain a university education had to travel beyond the borders of their native country. We explain the terms ‘humanism’ and the ‘Renaissance’ (and note that nobody used the Welsh equivalents of them in the period we’re discussing!). 

Although many humanists across Europe concentrated on ‘the rebirth’ of the wealth of classical languages (Latin and Greek), humanism gave rise to another linguistic tendency – one which is of the greatest importance from the point of view of the history of Welsh, namely a desire to perfect the Old Language and ensure that it is a medium fit for discussing and transmitting learning of every kind.

Georgia Ruth – Duw Neu Magic

YR AIL SENGL ODDI AR ALBWM NEWYDD GEORGIA RUTH: ‘DUW NEU MAGIC’

Yn dilyn ‘Driving Dreams’, mae Bubblewrap Collective yn falch o gyhoeddi bydd ‘Duw Neu Magic’, yr ail sengl oddi ar albwm newydd Georgia Ruth, ‘Cool Head’, allan ddydd Gwener 19eg o Ebrill.

Pennod 39 – Y Gymraeg a Byd Newydd Print

The Welsh Language and the New World of Print 

This episode focuses on that all-important technological development, the printing press. Given that discussing the history of Welsh literature is this podcast’s aim, we should see the arrival of this medium as an incredibly transformative milestone as far as creating and disseminating literature is concerned.
The first Welsh book was printed in 1546, and we explain the title-which-is-not-a-tile normally used in referring to it, Yn y Llyfr Hwn (‘In This Book’). Sir John Price was responsible for producing this landmark Welsh volume, but we note that he was a character who helped destroy some of Wales’ literary resources in addition to being responsible for pushing the Welsh language across the threshold of the world of print.

Cynrychioli Cymru: Carfan 2024 -25 | Representing Wales: 2024-25 Cohort

It’s that time of year again! 14 writers are about to embark on our year-long professional development programme, Representing Wales. The writers were selected by an independent assessment panel following an open call-out during the autumn of 2023 which attracted over 100 applications.

Fox Bites | Book Trailer

When Taban wishes for the world to end something out there . . . hears him.

Soon the young boy is being stalked by a fox whose salivating jaws drag him into strange dreams. Dreams where he is a revolutionary with ancient psychic powers fighting against a tyrannical regime.

He awakes with glowing scars that only he can see and the lingering embers of telekinetic abilities. Honing this flicker of power over years he plots revenge on the bullies who’ve abused him. In exchange he will become the conduit for the world’s end. But what if he changes his mind? Surely we can all come back from the edge? Can we?

Set in Zimbabwe during the early 2000s, amidst a backdrop of political turmoil, Fox Bites is a dark coming-of-age horror fantasy about pain, loneliness, and stepping back from the abyss.

Fox Bites, Lloyd Markham’s anticipated second novel is out with Parthian Books this April! Pre-order your copy here.

Hon – T H Parry Williams

During lockdown we have asked our followers from the area to send in their favourite welsh poetry to share with the community.
Here Hon by T H Parry Williams shared by Rachel Davies.

Pennod 38 – Alis Wen

Alis Wen 

In this episode we discuss a remarkably interesting female poet –Alis ferch Gruffudd or ‘Alis Wen’, who composed poetry in the sixteenth century. Men were the professional poets in the period, but Alis learned the poetic art and composed a number of verses using one of the old strict metres, the englyn unodl union. It’s very likely that her father, Gruffudd ab Ieuan ap Llywelyn Fychan, was her bardic teacher, and we see that her unique relationship with her father is given attention in some of her poems. Here is a rare female poetic voice from the period which manifests a Welsh woman’s honest feelings about love, marriage and society’s expectations. Although Welsh society in the period was oppressively patriarchal, we see Alis protesting and expressing a desire to follow her own heart instead of submitting to those expectations. In addition to expressing her opinion and her feelings in a forthright manner, she also does that in a wonderfully witty way.

Parthian Showcase

Join us for a showcase of exciting new Welsh writing, featuring Joshua Jones, Philippa Holloway, Joe Bedford, Georgia Carys Williams and Lloyd Markham.

authors have won or been listed for numerous new writing awards including the Dylan Thomas Prize, The Betty Trask Award and the Ondaatje Prize.

The authors will be reading, chatting and signing throughout the evening.

nawr issue 11: four years

Buy your copy here!

Our first print zine written by co-editors, Anna Bland and Martha O’Brien and music blogger, Jordan Curtis reflects on the first four years of nawr, with a reflection on each of our first ten issues. If you’re a long time follower or new to our publication, this first venture into print is a great way to learn more about us and our creative process, as well as gaining an insight into what the past four years of art and literature in Wales have looked like.

This 26 page zine includes some of our favourite contributions alongside our own reflections and has been lovingly designed by Anja Quinn and Beth McAulay.

*NOTE: There is a small alignment issue on pages 25-26. This makes no difference to the content of the publication.

HOSPES (4K, Binaural audio)

H O S P E S

Latin

Noun

1. host
2. guest, visitor

The work is an investigation of the diasporic richness of the streets and boroughs that surround the hospital, and Cardiff more generally, and placing it within its historical context. What do the voices featured in HOSPES say about identity and belonging in our Capital City today?

The Queer Emporium

Shop and social enterprise in Cardiff that houses 20 small queer businesses and also hosts events!

Pennod 37 – Hen Chwedlau Cymraeg a Phropaganda’r Tuduriaid: Elis Gruffydd (Rhan 2)

Old Welsh Legends and Tudor Propaganda: Elis Gruffydd ( Part 2) 

Having discussed the nature and significance of Elis Gruffydd’s long chronicle in the last episode, we look this time at a number of stories of special interest which were included in the work. It’s possible to look at these narratives as Welsh folktales which were note recorded anywhere else – stories which Elis Gruffydd heard recited orally when he was a child in Flintshire and/or tales which he saw in Welsh manuscripts which have since disappeared. Thanks to Elis Gruffydd we have the earliest version of two connected tales presenting the history of the otherworldly poet Taliesin, narratives full of fun which also say a great deal about the way in which the Welsh perceived the power of poetry.
We also mention a tale which depicts King Arthur as a selfish and jealous womanizer. A loyal soldier in the army of Henry VIII, Elis recorded a number of tales having to do with the ‘history’ of the Tudors as well, including one which elevates Henry VII as y mab darogan (the prophesied savior of the Welsh) above Owain Glyndŵr, a love story which explains the origins of the family, and one about the prophet bard Rhobin Ddu who foresaw the birth of Henry Tudor.

Cyflwynwyd gan: Yr Athro Jerry Hunter a’r Athro Richard Wyn Jones

Cynhyrchwyd gan: Richard Martin

Cerddoriaeth: Might Have Done gan The Molenes

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!