The Rheidol Prize for Prose with a Welsh Theme or Setting
The shortlisted and highly commended entries for the New Welsh Writing Awards 2022: Rheidol Prize for Prose with a Welsh Theme or Setting were revealed earlier this month.
The entries this year are, say the organizers, of exceptional quality, which has made the judging even more difficult than usual. Long-term subscriber and generous supporter of the award, Richard Powell, commented: “This is the fourth year I have sponsored the Rheidol Prize and I continue to be impressed by the quality, range and immediacy of the entries. Writing from and about Wales has a great deal to offer and the Prize exists to encourage it and bring it to a wider public. I hope the writers will reach the readers they deserve.”
The shortlisted and highly commended writers are listed below in alphabetical order by the author’s last name:
SHORTLIST
Tim Cooke (Bridgend, Wales) River
Hattie Morrison (Llandysul in Ceredigion, Wales) The Half Place
Eleanor Williams (Cardiff, Wales) Anna and the Angel
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Beck Collett Blinks and Shards
Jonathan Edwards ValleysWorld
Giancarlo Gemin The Library
Rae Leaver Revival
Jo Mazelis A Killing Frost
The three shortlisted writers are now in the running for the top prize of £1,000 – an advance against e-publication by New Welsh Review – and a positive critique by literary agent Cathryn Summerhayes of Curtis Brown. Five writers have made the highly commended list.
This year’s winner (and the winner of the 18-to-25-year category), will be announced at a free online ceremony at 6pm (GMT +1) on Friday 29th April, hosted by New Welsh Review chair Andrew Green and Editor and Awards Judge, Gwen Davies. Everyone is welcome to attend the event, which will be streamed on the official YouTube channel.
The Awards are open to all writers based in the UK and Ireland plus those who live overseas who have been educated in Wales.
Image (above) © 2022 New Welsh Review
Categories: Literary Awards
Quite something! If I was allowed to judge the top three, I would pick Hattie Morrison (Llandysul in Ceredigion, Wales) The Half Place because it greatly appeals to me. Pob lwc!
Thank you, Gretchen. I’m afraid your choice didn’t win but I’m sure Tim Cooke’s true crime-type memoir will be worth reading – although the subject matter is rather harrowing. 😕
Thanks for the heads up!
These are all new to me. Can’t wait to check them out!
New to me too, Naomi. I hope they all find publishers regardless of whether they win. 😊