A few thoughts on the future of Dewithon
I came up with the idea of Dewithon (aka Reading Wales) in 2018 because I wanted to introduce as many non-Welsh-speaking readers as possible to the literature of my country. Books translated from Welsh have always been included in this annual event (1st-31st March), but just as frequently are those written in English by authors and poets living and working in Wales. The point has always been to encourage others to discover some of the exciting works being produced by the people of this small but wordy nation – and in a limited way, I think it may have succeeded.
As I’ve commented in previous posts, Dewithon has taken on a life of its own since its inception and is entered into by book lovers around the world, some of whom quite obviously have no idea where, when and how it all began – but that matters not. It is satisfying simply to see the event achieve a few of my initial aims, not least to set in motion an online literary challenge that could be enjoyed by Welsh speakers and non-Welsh-speakers alike.
It has been gratifying to see people from different countries and cultures become involved every March, but I cannot help but feel the event has outgrown my abilities in many respects and that far more time and energy is required to properly do justice this important subject.
I am a person of limited academic experience: no university education and incomplete schooling (in fact, I left school for good at the age of 14, which is something I doubt I would get away with these days). However, I always adored reading books for the sheer delight of immersing myself in others’ imaginations, opinions and specialist knowledge and, in consequence, have long taken pleasure in writing about literature – be it in a spontaneous, informal, sometimes tongue-in-cheek sort of way, which is how I eventually became the blithe book blogger you know today (but therein lies another story).
Every year I seem to be dashing here and there, devoting less and less time to Dewithon, which is clearly unfair to those taking part. So now, I believe, is the time to step back and give others the opportunity to take the event in new directions.
I would, at this point, like to smoothly slide projects into my schedule rather than have them take over my life, leaving little or no time to be impulsive and have fun with my reading. Who knows, I may decide to do something wildly audacious… or not. But it’s good to think I have the option should the urge strike.
I also hope to spend a bit more time on my Tove Jansson project (#ToveTrove), which I have shamefully neglected for quite some while and, naturally, I intend to wind up the week for as long as you wish me to do so.
I will continue to celebrate Dewithon in my own small way (and I encourage others to do the same) but without making commitments that I may be unable to keep. Thus, if anyone would like to take over the official duty of hosting Reading Wales, I would be delighted to hand over the reins.
Thank you so much, everyone, for your input and support over the previous six years. I have enjoyed the experience immensely.
Categories: Reading Wales
I’d hate to see Dewithon bite the dust after all the hard work you’ve put into it. How would you feel about joint hosting? We could split the tasks between us so it’s not as onerous for you. Joint hosting seems to work for people who are hosting other projects like NonFiction November.
Thank you so much, Karen, I really appreciate your generous offer to co-host the event with me, but I thought long and hard before coming to this decision. I’m sad but equally certain that the time is right to release Dewithon into the wild, so to speak. I would be absolutely delighted if the event continued in some form or another, but I am no longer the person to carry it forward. I do hope you understand.
Understood Paula. I made the offer as a way of helping you keep involved if that is what you wanted. But I certainly don’t want you to feel pressured into doing something that isn’t right for you. Before I make any decision about whether to pick up the mantle, would it be possible for us to have a chat via phone? I’d like to understand more what is involved.
Aside from it kicking off on 1st March, should you decide to take on Reading Wales/Dewithon, the way in which you run the event would be entirely up to you. It would be a completely fresh start – although, you would be more than welcome to make use of all that went before and I would be happy to make suggestions. Just think of it as your bookish babi newydd-anedig! 😂
I’m really sorry to hear this Paula but completely understand. It’s defitely a time-consuming commitment to host challenges.
Thank you for understanding, Frances. Even if the event isn’t taken over by fresh hosts, I hope all past participants will continue to regard March as the month in which we celebrate the literature of Wales. I will certainly continue to publish Dewithon-related posts at this time of year. Maybe others will do the same.
Yes I definitely will. I would offer to share hosting with perhaps Karen, but I feel as I live in London it’s not a good look. It should probably someone who lives in Wales.
Hey, it really doesn’t matter where you live, Frances, as Dewithon has always been about having a connection or fascination with the prose and/or poetry of Wales. Maybe you once lived Wales; perhaps you do so now but came originally from the other side of the world. You might have distant Welsh relatives or simply be drawn to our culture – it’s of no consequence. It’s a celebration for everyone to enjoy, and as a host, you learn a lot as you go along, which I’m sure is the case with most of these reading challenges. If you feel ready to take on a new project, go for it! 😀👍
I think it absolutely succeeded Paula! I know events are so much work and you have to make the choice that works for you. Thank you for all your hard work and I’ll definitely continue to use your past Dewithon posts to help me choose my reading 🙂
Thank you, Madame B for your wonderful support and many contributions to Dewithon. I’m so pleased you feel the event made some difference. 🤗
Thanks for all you’ve done with this, Paula – I totally understand your decision (after all, I regretfully stopped hosting Witch Week for similar reasons) but I shall continue to seek out Wales-related titles at this special time of year! March has always been busy, what with March Magics, Reading Ireland, then Reading Wales, but since I nominally ‘host’ March Magics I I couldn’t fit in Dewithon as well – sadly! At least you’ve helped put Wales on the literary blogging map! 😊
You most certainly have done more than your fair share to “put Wales on the literary blogging map,” Chris. Thank you so much for being such a staunch supporter of Dewithon from the get go – I couldn’t have asked for more. Diolch yn fawr iawn yn wir! 🤗
Because my family’s Welsh I never thought of Wales as a ‘thing’, what you did with Dewithon was make Wales a ‘thing’ – a place and people and tradition that stands on its own; I think that’s great and now I purposely look out for Welsh lit! Many thanks Paula and no pressure but I’m looking forward to your Tove Trove posts!!
Thank you so much, Jane. I’m so glad I helped make Wales ‘a thing’ in the book blogging world. High praise indeed! 🤗
Yes, I’m looking forward to spending more time in Tove’s company. 😊
Makes sense. You created something striking, valuable, and unique.
I shall listen to John Metcalfe’s wonderful “Mapping Wales” to mark the occasion.
Thank you, dear Josie. You’ve always been there supporting the event and making me laugh. I hope you enjoy listening to Mapping Wales. I rather like Metcalfe’s Under Milk Wood opera – though, I’ve never experienced a live performance. 🤗
I am so sorry to hear this Paula, but of course I understand your reasons – Dewithon must be so much work, and I know these things can end up taking over your life. I only participated for the first time in 2024, and I really enjoyed it. I’d never have rewatched How Green Was My Valley without this prompt!
I’ve been toying with the idea of running a similar thing for Scotland, but I although I don’t work I am involved in a lot of voluntary things – do you think it would be madness? I’m quite surprised that nobody’s done this before me actually.
Thank you, Rosemary. I greatly appreciated your contributions to last year’s event. 😊👍
Do you know, I’ve often thought the exact same thing. Scotland has such a rich literary heritage, so why is there no Albathon or similar? If you fancy taking something like this on, you would need to decide how much time and effort you were prepared (or able) to commit. For instance, you may prefer to run the event over a week or fortnight rather than a whole month. Perhaps you could try it out as a one-off challenge in the first instance and only make it an annual happening if you felt happy to do so. 🤷♀️ Anyhow, I feel sure Scottish lit and poetry would be immensely popular with readers.
Thanks Paula – I will have a think about that.
I’ve just collected up all the books that are either set in Scotland or by Scottish authors (fiction and non-fiction) that were on my own shelves – there are masses of them! I also raked through our DVD collection and found a pile of films, documentaries, etc. So there’d be no shortage of material.
Oh, you definitely won’t run out of fresh materials, Rosemary. The problem will be in picking something out on which to focus. 😂
I totally get in Paula – these things do take time and commitment (I know that personally!) I don’t think I could take it on at the moment, but I hope someone will do! Thanks for all you’ve done with it!
Goodness, Kaggsy, your bookish productivity is extraordinary – you read and review so many titles at an incredible rate, and that’s before running heaven knows how many events, so I wouldn’t expect you to take on anything else. I’ve always appreciated your contributions to Dewithon. Thank you so much. 🤗
Thanks ever so much for hosting, Paula, and I hope you enjoy the greater focus this affords you for other reading projecs and interests! I just put the finishing touches on my 2024 events post, which will be up in a couple of days, recalling my 2024 Dewithon selection and pointing towards my 2025 thoughts (which felt like totally new ideas as I wrote them down last March heheh). You’ve definitely impacted my reading in this vein; I enjoyed the two books I read for the group read-a-long and I’m generally more aware of writers from Wales thanks to your efforts. Well done!
You were one of the first to get involved in Dewithon and we’ve had a few good natters about various aspects of books chosen for the read-alongs since it all started. Thank you, Marcie, for your kind words and continued support. 🤗
Thank you for introducing me to some really great books with the Dewithon! [And other great bookish stuff thru your weekly round-up posts]. When something becomes a drudgery it’s time to move on, even if you value it. Thank you again for all your hard work.
I’m just delighted you gained something positive from Reading Wales and continue to enjoy my weekly posts. Thank you so much, Lisa. 💐😊
I LOVE you weekly round-up. I try to share it everywhere each week. You should be paid for that–it’s that good.
🤗
I completely get it and I’m glad Dean Street December stays relatively small and I share Nonfiction November or I’d soon be overwhelmed myself! I hope you will post some sort of reminder that Dewithon happens in some way in March to remind lax people like me to comb through the TBR. I would not have read How Green Was My Valley or Sugar and Slate without it!
Oh, absolutely, Liz. I will continue to celebrate Dewithon every March with posts on my blog. Hey, Dean Street December was really successful this year. Lots of people taking part. Well done, Liz, and thanks for all those Reading Wales posts over the last few years. 😀👍
Oh, Paula, such a bitter/sweet blog post but so very understandable! Life is full of changes and challenges and new things. Your Dewithon will live on in my family’s memories, for the books, the Dragon and the personal touch you gave to the literature of Wales. 💖
You were there when Dewithon was but a mere crumb of an idea and supported the event from the start. Thank you so much, Gretchen, for everything – including all your wonderful Reading Wales posts. Incidentally, I’m still convinced you have the odd Welsh gene lurking in your DNA! 🤗
Thank you, Paula (I am blushing like this emoji 😊) Dewithon made March enjoyable for the many books but also the learning experience. Maybe one day I will grasp some Welsh language and seek out my full family tree. I am a mixture of Scottish,
French and German so it would be wonderful to find Welsh DNA in the mix. I do love your castles and countryside! If you go touring, please post lots of photos 🏰📸 Gretchen.