Get to know Alex Wharton, Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-2025.
An interview with Alex Wharton, Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-2025.
The Children’s Laureate Wales is a national ambassadorial role which aims to inspire and empower children and young people across Wales through literature.
I Don’t Want to Write a Poem – Alex Wharton
Watch Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-2025, Alex Wharton, read his poem ‘I don’t want to write a poem’.
The Children’s Laureate Wales is a national ambassadorial role which aims to inspire and empower children and young people across Wales through literature.
Mared Llywelyn a Buddug Roberts
Betty: Bywyd Penderfynol Betty Campbell gan Nia Morais ac Anastasia Magloire
You Only Live Thrice: Reacting to a Later Life Autism Diagnosis
Dave Richard reflects on the identity crisis caused by a later life Autism diagnosis, and his eventual journey towards acceptance.
Members’ Blogs: How-to Guide
As an organisation dedicated to supporting journalists and writers, we are incredibly proud of our members’ blogs. This feature gives writers a paid platform from which to share their stories, and has been one of our key successes, with subjects ranging from social mobility to trans rights to disability in the workplace. Our contributors have had their work shared on social media and on our newsletters, with one blog post even being syndicated in a Portuguese publication! We also see them as a valuable resource for employers, funders and change-makers, acting as pointers towards creating a safer and fairer environment for journalists.
It is absolutely vital that people from marginalised backgrounds are heard – we urge you to add your voice to the conversation.
To make the process as clear and simple as possible, we’ve listed some guidelines below.
Pencerdd
This content is in Welsh only.
Pennod 28 – ‘Bawddyn!’: Ymrysonau’r Cywyddwyr
‘Shit-man!’: Bardic Debates of the Cywyddwyr
In order to deepen our understanding of the work of ‘The Poets of the Uchelwyr’ or the Cywyddwyr, we look at their ymrysonau or bardic debates in this episode.
While considering poems exchanged by bards, we examine possible connections between this poetry and lost social contexts. It’s likely that bards engaged in an ymryson for various reasons during the period in question – in order to compete for patronage, in order to establish or confirm one’s reputation, in order to discuss aspects of their art (and argue about them!), and for the sake of fun or entertainment – but we must use our imagination (and some anthropological theory!) in order to understand the relationship between this amazing poems and the context(s) which gave birth to them. We also discuss another very interesting question: why does a poet call his opponent such nasty names, and do so in a discussion about refined topics such as the source of poetic inspiration and the proper function of a poet?
Eluned Gramich a Sara Borda Green
Hen Lwynog o Lyn!
Twm Morys
Curiadau: Blodeugerdd LHDTC+
Curiadau is a pioneering and exciting LHDTQ+ anthology, the first of its type in the Welsh language. Skilful editor Gareth Evans-Jones brings together striking and diverse LHDTQ+ talents. This special collection comprises works by poets, writers and playwrights.
Buy your copy here
Mymryn Rhyddid – Gruffudd Owen
The second volume of poetry by Gruffudd Owen, Chaired Bard of Cardiff National Eisteddfod 2018.
Get your copy here
Y Gragen – Casia Wiliam
A charming rhyming story about a city child visiting the beach in a seaside village for the first time. The child returns home with a sea shell as a souvenir of the place where children laugh while eating ice cream, seaweed squeals and nature sings. There is a QR code in the back of the book that leads to online activities.
Get your copy here
Gwawrio – Tegwen Bruce Deans
A volume of poetry by a new poet, Tegwen Bruce-Deans. The poems discuss nature, people, relationships and much more. Tegwen is part of the current, daring poetry scene and reveals a mature voice in her first volume.
Get your copy here!
Anwyddoldeb – Elinor Wyn Reynolds
A first volume of poetry by Elinor Wyn Reynolds, being a look at one’s journey through life and lingering with some of life’s experiences and choices along the way.
Gweld Llun o Glywed Llinell – Rhys Dafis
A collection of poems by Rhys Dafis, in which the poet gathers his thoughts about various themes, e.g. nature, family and society.
Get your copy here!
Pigion Y Talwrn
The latest volume presenting the best poems heard on the popular series ‘Talwrn y Beirdd’ on Radio Cymru, selected by Ceri Wyn Jones.
Get your copy here!
Podlediadau llyfrau
Sgwrs Fflur Dafydd
Llŷr Titus a Peredur Glyn
Caru Darllen: Guto Dafydd a Malachy Edwards
Pennod 27 – Llais Cymraes: Gwerful Mechain
It’s about time that we concentrate on literature by a Welsh woman. Since we have started discussing the period of the cywydd, we leap forward from the time of Dafydd ap Gwilym a century and more in order to consider the work of Gwerful Mechain, a female poet who lived and composed during the second half of the 15th century.
It is also a means of considering how Welsh literary ‘canon’s – like that influential volume, The Oxford Book of Welsh Verse – have ignored the work of female poets like Gwerful Mechain. We also note that Gwerful is remembered chiefly by some as an ‘indecent poet’ – an unfortunate stereotyping – because her work treats a range of themes, including religion. We look in some detail at her masterful cywydd describing the passion of Jesus. We have an opportunity to consider some very different poetry as well, work which discusses sex from a woman’s point of view and satirizes the love poetry of the male bards.
Crow Face, Doll Face by Carly Holmes
Crow Face, Doll Face by Carly Holmes is our November Book of the Month.
Alun Parrington
Yr Etholiad Cyffredinol Prydeinig yng Nghymru
Gypsy Writers: Commissioned Writers and Mentor Announcement
The Romani Cultural and Arts Company’s trailblazing new creative writing project ‘Gypsy Writers’ kicked off in September 2023. Supported by the Books Council of Wales, this ground-breaking literary initiative will develop new writing by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller writers currently living in Wales.
An extension to the Romani Cultural and Arts Company’s highly successful ‘Gypsy Maker’ programme, we are delighted to announce the four currently unpublished Gypsy, Roma or Traveller writers who have been selected for this competitive mentoring programme are:
Allison Hulmes
Daniel Turner
Ivan Horvath
Fabian Hovath
‘Gypsy Writers’ will nourish the rich talent in Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and bring exciting, marginalised voices to the attention of the publishing industry. We are pleased to announce our project mentor is Dr Jo Clement, an award-winning writer, publisher and lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Northumbria.
Dr Joanne Clement said “I am delighted to join the Romani Cultural and Arts Company as its ‘Gypsy Writers’ mentor, delivering a nourishing and ambitious plan to develop new writing by these talented emerging Gypsy, Roma and Traveller authors. This is an exciting time for new perspectives in literature and I look forward to working closely with each writer to develop their unique voice and find out their take on the world. Discovering the subjects that compel a writer to write, honing literary expression and steering writers toward publication is one of the greatest joys of my life”.
Anest Williams from the Books Council of Wales said: “We are pleased to be able to fund the ‘Gypsy Writers’ literature project, one of many important projects funded by the New Audiences grant this year. We hope that this funding will assist in providing a platform for the voices of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller writers, and we look forward to reading the outcome of this much-needed work.”
Strange Tales by Daniel Morden
Strange Tales by Daniel Morden is our October Children’s Book of the Month.
A boy who cannot feel fear… A girl pursued by a ghostly figure… Two sisters turned into beasts… A wild party where all the guests are skeletons… These extraordinary stories from long ago have been shaped over a lifetime of performance in schools, festivals and theatres by master storyteller, Daniel Morden into thrilling adventures, brimming with mystery and magic.
Daniel Morden shares a sneak peak of one of the tales.
Dylan Huw a Talulah Thomas
On Value, Pay and Problems of Capitalism: Poets Talk About the Challenges of Economic Stress
Subscribe to Poetry Wales here. Poetry Wales offer student and low income subscriptions to those who need them.
On Value, Pay and Problems of Capitalism: Poets Talk About the Challenges of Economic Stress
Subscribe to Poetry Wales here. Poetry Wales offer student and low income subscriptions to those who need them.
The Internet Stops By
A poem by Matthew Valades about loneliness and technology
Matthew Valades has poems in Subtropics, New Ohio Review, The Moth, Carolina Quarterly and others. His book reviews appear in PN Review and Quarterly West. A graduate of the MFA writing program at UNC-Greensboro, he works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Press and lives in Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Image: Oleg Prachuk / Pexels
Subscribe to New Welsh Review here
The Internet Stops By
A poem by Matthew Valades about loneliness and technology
Matthew Valades has poems in Subtropics, New Ohio Review, The Moth, Carolina Quarterly and others. His book reviews appear in PN Review and Quarterly West. A graduate of the MFA writing program at UNC-Greensboro, he works at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Press and lives in Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Image: Oleg Prachuk / Pexels
Subscribe to New Welsh Review here
Material Queer
Welcome to the Material Queer newsletter. An online space celebrating queer culture in all its glory. You can never have too much.
Register to our Substack here.
Hunan ofal wrth sgwennu
Pennod 26 – Dychan, Hiwmor a Grym Celf: Dafydd ap Gwilym (rhan 3)
Satire, Humor and the Power of Art (Dafydd ap Gwilym part 3)
Richard Wyn Jones says something in this episode which, although it’s an off-the-cuff remark, perhaps says more about this poetry’s zest than all of his co-presenter’s discussion. He says that, if he had read these poems in school, he might’ve studied Welsh at university instead of International Politics! That’s enough to suggest that these humorous satirical poems by Dafydd ap Gwilym have a very wide appeal.
We look at Dafydd’s self-satire in the cywyddau ‘Trouble in a Tavern’ and ‘Women of Llanbadarn’. We also discuss the poem which was censored for many years, ‘The Cywydd of the Penis’. And we consider his dialogue with the ‘Grey Friar’, an amazing poem which presents a surprisingly modern version of Christianity and which defends the exact type of love poetry connected with Dafydd ap Gwilym. It is also a poem which testifies as to the power of high-quality art to influence people’s behaviour.
Pennod 26 – Dychan, Hiwmor a Grym Celf: Dafydd ap Gwilym (rhan 3)
Satire, Humor and the Power of Art (Dafydd ap Gwilym part 3)
Richard Wyn Jones says something in this episode which, although it’s an off-the-cuff remark, perhaps says more about this poetry’s zest than all of his co-presenter’s discussion. He says that, if he had read these poems in school, he might’ve studied Welsh at university instead of International Politics! That’s enough to suggest that these humorous satirical poems by Dafydd ap Gwilym have a very wide appeal.
We look at Dafydd’s self-satire in the cywyddau ‘Trouble in a Tavern’ and ‘Women of Llanbadarn’. We also discuss the poem which was censored for many years, ‘The Cywydd of the Penis’. And we consider his dialogue with the ‘Grey Friar’, an amazing poem which presents a surprisingly modern version of Christianity and which defends the exact type of love poetry connected with Dafydd ap Gwilym. It is also a poem which testifies as to the power of high-quality art to influence people’s behaviour.
Material Queer
Material Queer is a new LGBTQ+ online publication celebrating queer culture in all its forms. Inspired by Madonna’s hit Material Girl – Material Queer’s collection of features, interviews, reviews, and exclusives will be just as attention-seeking, rebellious, timeless and iconic.
Chwedlau Gwerin Cymru gan Robin Gwyndaf
Chwedlau Gwerin Cymru gan Robin Gwyndaf
Marged Elen a Leo Drayton
Marged Elen a Leo Drayton
Gal-dem Broke New Ground for Writers of Colour, When Will Welsh Publications Follow Suit?
Following gal-dem magazine’s recent closure, Yasmin Begum outlines the ways they broke new ground for writers of colour
You can follow Yasmin on Twitter / X.
PenRhydd
Croeso i bodlediad PenRhydd
Croeso i bodlediad PenRhydd.
Beth yw’r grymoedd sy’n gyrru sgwennwyr i archwilio eu hamgylchfyd, ar lefel corff, cymuned a byd?
Yn y gyfres hon o ddeialogau gyda rhai o leisiau mwyaf cyffrous y Gymru greadigol gyfoes, bydd Iestyn Tyne a Grug Muse yn defnyddio drafftiau o waith newydd sbon gan y cyfrannwyr fel man cychwyn i ystyried y pethau hyn.
Cefnogir gan Llenyddiaeth Cymru.
Croeso i bodlediad PenRhydd
Croeso i bodlediad PenRhydd.
Beth yw’r grymoedd sy’n gyrru sgwennwyr i archwilio eu hamgylchfyd, ar lefel corff, cymuned a byd?
Yn y gyfres hon o ddeialogau gyda rhai o leisiau mwyaf cyffrous y Gymru greadigol gyfoes, bydd Iestyn Tyne a Grug Muse yn defnyddio drafftiau o waith newydd sbon gan y cyfrannwyr fel man cychwyn i ystyried y pethau hyn.
Cefnogir gan Llenyddiaeth Cymru.
Marged Tudur a Steffan Gwynn
Beth yw’r grymoedd sy’n gyrru sgwennwyr i archwilio eu hamgylchfyd, ar lefel corff, cymuned a byd?
Yn y gyfres hon o ddeialogau gyda rhai o leisiau mwyaf cyffrous y Gymru greadigol gyfoes, bydd Iestyn Tyne a Grug Muse yn defnyddio drafftiau o waith newydd sbon gan y cyfrannwyr fel man cychwyn i ystyried y pethau hyn.
Yn y bennod hon, y ddau sy’n darllen a datgymalu darnau o’u gwaith, yng nghwmni Grug Muse fydd y beirdd Marged Tudur a Steffan Gwynn.
Cefnogir gan Llenyddiaeth Cymru ac Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru
Marged Tudur a Steffan Gwynn
Beth yw’r grymoedd sy’n gyrru sgwennwyr i archwilio eu hamgylchfyd, ar lefel corff, cymuned a byd?
Yn y gyfres hon o ddeialogau gyda rhai o leisiau mwyaf cyffrous y Gymru greadigol gyfoes, bydd Iestyn Tyne a Grug Muse yn defnyddio drafftiau o waith newydd sbon gan y cyfrannwyr fel man cychwyn i ystyried y pethau hyn.
Yn y bennod hon, y ddau sy’n darllen a datgymalu darnau o’u gwaith, yng nghwmni Grug Muse fydd y beirdd Marged Tudur a Steffan Gwynn.
Cefnogir gan Llenyddiaeth Cymru ac Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru
Gwledd y Nadolig | Festive Reads
Looking for Christmas gifts?
Available now from your local bookshop, Festive Reads, a taste of the brilliant books from Wales out this winter.
Pick up your free copy from your local bookshop.
Find your local bookshop HERE.