The Last Hundred Days by Patrick McGuinness is shortlisted for the 2011 Costa First Novel Award

Congratulations to Patrick McGuinness, who finds his debut novel on the Costa Book Awards shortlist. The Last Hundred Days is up against three other titles for the 2011 Costa First Novel Award. Set during Ceausescu's last hundred days in power, Patrick McGuinness's accomplished debut novel explores a world of danger, repression and corruption. The Last Hundred Days was also long-listed for the Man Booker Prize 2011. The Costa Book Award First Novel judges Henry Layte, Emma Lee-Potter and Jojo Moyes described the book as "Funny, insightful and compelling."

Other Reviews

First Minister Carwyn Jones AM toasts Seren at thirty

Seren celebrated 30 years of publishing and launched the latest instalment of their Mabinogion re-tellings. Award winning authors Fflur Dafydd and Horatio Clare read from their latest novellas at a glitzy bash in Cardiff at Chapter Arts Centre, in the company of First Minister Carwyn Jones, who is also Seren's local AM in Bridgend. Carwyn Jones was delighted to be present at the launch, and paid tribute to Seren for their work over thirty years publishing high quality literature from Wales.

More News

Seren are set to publish Wales Rugby World Cup 2011 in pictures, Heads Held High . Unique images from official tournament photographers, GettyImages. Foreword by Phil Bennett and Afterword by Max Boyce. For two weeks in October, Wales held its breath. In the Rugby World Cup, with an influx of young players and probably the most exciting rugby played in the competition, Wales had negotiated a difficult qualifying group to reach the quarterfinal against an unbeaten Ireland side.

NEW TITLES

The Princes Pen by Horatio Clare Award-winning author Horatio Clare refracts politics, faith and the contemporary world order through the prism of some of the earliest British myths, the Mabinogion, to ask who are the outsiders, the infidels and who the enemy within. "...an epic tale of conflict, faith and banishment...this reworked tale provides a graphic depiction of the cruelty of war and torture The Guardian 2011.Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115522

The White Trail by Fflur Dafydd. Life is tough for Cilydd, after his wife seems to vanish into thin air at a supermarket one wintry afternoon. So begins a tale of intrigue and confusion that ends with a wild boar chase and a dangerous journey to the House of the Missing. "Dafydd seamlessly amalgamates the extraordinary into the everyday in her reworking of 'Culhwch and Olwen The Guardian, 2011.Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115515

The Keys of Babylon by Robert Minhinnick A collection of 15 linked stories by award-wining poet and author Robert Minhinnick, giving voice to migrants around the globe. Both a fictional record of, and an exploration into their lives, the migrants and the people with whom they interact reflect a comprehensive mix of hope, success, failure, fear, indifference and passion.Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115508

The Salt Harvest by Eoghan Walls The debut collection from a startling new talent. Dark and evocative, these poems involve rich, multi-layered descriptions of the natural world, and cast a sardonic and tender eye on the human condition. Threads of humour run throughout, an imaginative playfulness evident in Martin Healeys War on God and Ireland, Frog and Star Matter.Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115492

Loudness by Judy Brown Shortlisted for the Forward Prize 'Best First Collection 2011. An outstanding and original new voice in modern poetry with a straightforward manner and a gift for ironic humour which belie the artful complexities and exacting observations evident in her poems. A baroque quality, along with her sudden modulations of tone and register, and a keenly sensuous appreciation of the physical world, make her work reminiscent of the metaphysical poets.Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115478

Cusp by Graham Mort Mort's new collection features many of the qualities readers have come to admire; keen observation, a feeling for the natural world and the sense of the individual as part of a larger society. Included in the collection is the remarkable, ambitious long poem, 'Electricity, fizzing with riffs on its theme. Mort's formal rigour, instinctive compassion, and warm humanity shine through in this new book, the first since his acclaimed: Visibility: New and Selected Poems.Paperback 8.99 ISBN: 9781854115485

Real Powys by Mike Parker Observant, passionate, witty, offbeat, Mike Parker tours Powys from the border towns of Hay on Wye, Presteigne and Knighton, through the interior and on to the furthest points of Newtown, Penybont, Ystradgynlais and Brecon. Could it be that Powys is a time capsule of British life fifty years ago? Is it a stronghold for the Welsh language and culture? What surprises does he stumble upon among the mountains, forests, streams and farms of this mysterious countryside? Paperback 9.99 ISBN: 9781854115539

MEET THE AUTHOR

Thursday 22nd November 2pm: Ruth Bidgood reading from her poetry collection Time Being . This collection won the Roland Mathias Prize 2011. The Hours, Brecon.

Friday 2nd December 9pm: Seren author Owen Sheers ( White Ravens ) at Hay Winter Weekend. Screening of Owen Sheers film Resistance . The story opens in wartime 1944: after the failed D-day landings, a German counter-attack lands on British soil, Within a month, half of Britain is occupied. Starring Michael Sheen and Andrea Riseborough. Venue: Richard Booths Bookshop.

Saturday 3rd December 2pm: Mike Parker launches Real Powys at Erwood Station Craft Centre, Llandeilo Graban, Builth Wells, LD2 3SJ

Saturday 3rd December 10am: Seren author Horatio Clare ( The Princes Pen ) at Hay Winter Weekend. Explore the writing and crafting of short stories with Horatio Clare, then get hands-on with formatting and style under the expert guidance of Paul Thomas (BWA Design). You'll leave having created a completely unique book from start to finish. Bring a packed lunch. Venue: Parish Hall. Tickets 15.00, available from the Festival website www.hayfestival.com

Saturday 3rd December 3.30pm: Francine Stock talks to Owen Sheers about 'A Century of Film and How it Shaped Us. Join Francine on her personal journey through a glorious century of cinema, showing in vivid detail how film both reflects and makes our world. For tickets and further information visit the festival website: www.hayfestival.com/winterweekend/

Sunday 4th December 5pm: Award-winning author and contributor to Oxfams Ox-Travels anthology Horatio Clare introduces his striking contribution to Seren Books New Stories of the Mabinogion series, The Princes Pen , as the tale of Lludd and Lefellys is brought sharply into a world of suicide bombers and surveillance.Venue: Community Centre. Tickets 4.00, available from the Festival website: www.hayfestival.com

Thursday 8th December 7.30pm: Seren poet Ellie Evans reads from her debut collection The Ivy Hides the Fig Ripe Duchess at the Imperial Hotel, Merthyr.

Thursday 8th December 7.30pm: Seren poet Carrie Etter (The Tethers) reads in Swindon. Bluegate Poets reading series, Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4BJ. For an open mic slot, email organiser Hilda Sheehan at hsheehan@btinternet.com . 4, 2 for Bluegate members.

Thursday 15th December, 6.30pm: Niall Griffiths will be reading from his 'Mabiniogion Story' The Dreams of Max and Ronnie and Gwen Davies from Sing Sing Sorrow at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre bookshop. We're working with independent booksellers across Wales (and Church Stretton) and the Welsh Books Council to offer 12 great books at a 3 for 2 offer.

Poem of the Month

WMF is 10 - Free seminars and live music

Thursday 7th and Friday 8th of October Galeri Caernarfon

Welsh Music Foundation is 10 years old this year and as part of continued
celebrations, will be hosting two days of free music industry seminars, live
music and more in Galeri , Caernarfon on Thursday
7th and Friday
8th October
2010 .

We hope you'll join us for informative sessions and networking during the daytime, then, each evening, promoters and labels from Wales bring an exciting line-up of free live music, including performances from Sian James, Alun Tan Lan, Gwilym Morus, Yucatan and Colorama .

Take a look at our dedicated site www.wmfis10.com .

FREE SEMINARS / All sessions are FREE to attend

Live Music Worksh op

Thursday 7 ^th October 2010 /
4pm 5pm /
C3 Room, Galeri,
Caernarfon

For concert promoters, gig promoters, venue managers and festival organisers (budding or otherwise), an hour dispensing information and offering ideas on everything you need to know about holding live events and gigs.

To request a space, please email hello@welshmusicfoundation.com

A discussion on WMFs research into live music in Wales

Thursday 7 ^th October 2010 /
5.15pm 6.15pm / C3 Room, Galeri,
Caernarfon

WMF are researching and compiling information on the live scene in Wales with the overall objective to develop a long-term strategy to ensure the future of a successfully and economically viable live music sector. If youre involved in live music in Wales, please join us to find out more and offer your views and insights.

To request a space, please email hello@welshmusicfoundation.com with the
subject 'Live Music
Research.'

Opportunities at Home and Abroad

Friday 8 ^th October 2010 / 12pm 12.30pm / Stiwdio 2,
Galeri, Caernarfon

Interested in taking your music overseas? Want to find out more about music trade missions? Nows your chance An informationsession where you can find out more about how WMF is working to promote Welsh music abroad and how you can benefit. To request aspace, please email hello@welshmusicfoundation.com with the
subject 'Home
and Abroad.'

A Welsh Collection Society - the Cambrensis Report

Friday 8 ^th October 2010 / 1.30 3pm / Stiwdio 2,
Galeri, Caernarfon

Presentation and discussion on the Cambrensis Report, the latest step towards setting up a Welsh collection society. A representative from PRS, the UK collection society will be providing quite possibly alternative viewpoints.

To request a space, please email hello@welshmusicfoundation.com with the
subject 'Cambrensis
Report.'

The revolution will not be televised, friend the media in Wales and the world. Friday 8 ^th October2010 /
3.15 4.45pm / Stiwdio 2, Galeri, Caernarfon

The latest on the media in Wales and the world, with experts from radio, tv, online and printed media pontificating the ever changing world we live in. What elements of media are now important for your music in Wales and beyond?

To request a space, please email hello@welshmusicfoundation.com with the
subject 'Media
in Wales.'

LIVE MUSIC

SCG yn 10 Seminarau a gigs am ddim

Iau 7fed a Gwener 8fed o Hydref 2010 Galeri,
Caernarfon

Mae Sefydliad
Cerddoriaeth Gymreig yn 10 oed eleni ac yn cynnal deuddydd yn Galeri , Caernarfon
ar Hydref y 7fed ar 8fed

i barhau ein dathliadau, gyda seminarau ir diwydiant, cerddoriaeth fyw yno a mewn lleoliadau ar y maes, a digon o gyfle i rwydweithio. Felly dewchdraw am sesiynau llawn gwybodaeth yn ystod y dydd, ac yna yn y nos mwynhewch
berfformiadau byw gan bobl fel Sian James, Alun Tan Lan, Gwilym Morus, Yucatan a Colorama Edrychwn ymlaen ich gweled! Manylion llawn ar ein gwefan arbennig www.scgyn10.com - Cofrestrwch drwy ebost
hello@welshmusicfoundation.com

SEMINARAU AM DDIM / Mynediad i bob sesiwn AM DDIM

Gweithdy Miwsig Byw

Iau Hydref 7
2010 / 4-5yp / Ystafell C3, Galeri, Caernarfon

I hyrwyddwyr gwyliau, gigs a chyngherddau neu reolwyr lleoliadaur dyfodol neu bresennol, awr yn darparu gwybodaeth a chynnig syniadau am gynnal gigs, gwyliau a digwyddiadau byw. I gofrestrugyrrwch ebost at hello@welshmusicfoundation.com gyda'r
teitl 'Gweithdy Miwsig
Byw'.

Ymchwil SCG i gerddoriaeth fyw yng Nghymru

Iau Hydref 7 2010 / 5-6yp / Ystafell C3, Galeri, Caernarfon

Mae SCG yn ymchwilio a hel gwybodaeth am y sin fyw yng Nghymru gydar nd o ddatblgyu strategaeth hir-dymor i sicrhau dyfodol llewyrchus ir sector fyw. Os ydych yn ymwneud a cherddoriaeth fyw yng Nghymru yna ymunwch a ni i ddarganfod mwy a chynnig eich canfyddiadau ach barn. I gofrestrugyrrwch ebost at hello@welshmusicfoundation.com gydar teitl ` Ymchwil
Miwsig Byw`.

Cyfleon yng Nghymru a thramor Gwener Hydref 8 2010 / 12-12.30yp / Stiwdio 2, Galeri, Caernarfon

Hoffech fynd ach cerddoriaeth dramor? Eisiau darganfod mwy am deithiau, gwyliau rhyngwladol ac arddangosfeydd? Sesiwnwybodaeth lle gallwch ddarganfod mwy am y gwaith mae SCG yn ei wneud i ddarparu cyfleon i arddangos eich hun dramor. I gofrestrugyrrwch ebost at
hello@welshmusicfoundation.com gydar teitl ` Cyfleon yng Nghymru a thramor`.

Corff Casglu Cymreig - Adroddiad Cambrensis

Gwener Hydref 8 2010 / 1.30 3yp / Stiwdio 2, Galeri, Caernarfon

Cyflwyniad a thrafodaeth ar Adroddiad Cambrensis, y cam diweddaraf tuag at sefydlu corff casglu Cymreig. Bydd cynrychiolydd o PRS, y corff casglu Prydeinig, yno i gynnig safbwyntiau fydd o bosib yn wahanol. I gofrestrugyrrwch ebost at hello@welshmusicfoundation.com
gydar teitl ` Adroddiad Cambrensis`.

Fydd y chwyldro ddim ar y teledu, gyfaill y cyfryngau yng Nghymru ar
byd.

Gwener Hydref 8 2010 /
3.15
-4.45yp /
Stiwdio 2,
Galeri, Caernarfon

Y diweddaraf ym myd y cyfryngau, gydag arbennigwyr o radio, teledu, y we, ar cylchgronnau yn pwyso a mesur y byd cyfnewidiol ohoni. Pa gyfryngau syn bwysig ich cerddoriaeth bellach yng Nghymru a phellach? I gofrestrugyrrwch ebost at hello@welshmusicfoundation.com gydar teitl
`Y Cyfryngau yng Nghymru` .

CERDDORIAETH FYW

Y Lolfa and Seren are Wales two leading publishing houses. Seren tends to concentrate on Anglo-Welsh literature whilst Y Lolfa publishes a wide range of general titles about Welsh culture and history and also a great many first rate Welsh language titles. In the interests of promoting knowledge of Wales and its leading book publishers we are featuring the press release reproduced below.

The latest title from Y Lolfa concerns a case with which many members of Americymru may be unfamiliar. In 1987 three men were convicted for the vicious murder of a Cardiff newsagent and sentenced to life imprisonment. Their sentences were subsequently overturned on appeal amidst concerns over the way the investigation was handled.

It must be stressed that the 1980's were a turbulent period in Wales' history. Social discontent and unrest manifested itself in many forms includindg national strikes by the steelworkers and mineworkers, the holiday home burning campaign conducted by Meibion Glyndwr , the Welsh language TV station protest movement, the formation of radical Welsh Republican movements and in the late 80's the beginning of the Anti Poll Tax protest movement. It is against this backdrop that a series of the most spectacular miscarriages of justice in Welsh history occurred. The case of the Cardiff Three is perhaps the most infamous of these. Another more politically charged incident involving the prosecution of members of Y Faner Goch for conspiring to produce explosives has been documented in Y Lolfa's excellent Police Conspiracy . The forthcoming title by Michael o' Brien deals with the case of the Cardiff Newsagent Three.

Whilst these cases should never be forgotten and can never be excused it should be pointed out that owing to the turbulent nature of the era, police resources were stretched to the limit and unreasonable pressure was probably brought to bear to obtain speedy convictions. It should also be pointed out that the South Wales Police have a record for intelligent and sensitive crowd control at major sporting events which should be the envy of every police force in the world.

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Books gets author out of prison and into publishing...


Michael Obrien, who was imprisoned for 11 years for a murder he didnt commit will give a full account of his ordeal and his fight for justice in the forthcoming book called The Death of Justice. The autobiography will be published by Welsh publishers, Y Lolfa in September, and the author is glad of the continuing support of the publishers as a book they published in 1984 played a crucial part in his release from prison.

Michael Obrien said: When I went for bail it was bought to my attention that there was a similar case of misscarriage of justice that had happened many years earlier described in the book Police Conspiracy published by Y Lolfa.

The book was used at the appeal and at the bail hearing and convinced the judge to free me on bail, pending an appeal. There were striking similarities between both cases which bought police investigations into question. Theres no doubt that Police Conspiracy went a long way to establish my innocence in the courts and helped to uncover what had gone on in the case. It played a significant part in my release.

Michael Obrien also feels that had the judges of the original trial know about the case in Police Conspiracy they may have reached a different verdict. He added: Im very greatful to Y Lolfa for what theyve done, and I hope my book will bring attention to all cases of miscarriage of justice in Britain.

Michael Obrien received the highest compensation payout ever for miscarriage of justice in 2006, a sum of near a million pounds, and in his book he reveals how he lost everything, including his family while in prison, and then turned to study law to work on his case. He was released in 1999 after eleven years behind bars.

The Death of Justice will be published by Y Lolfa on 19 September and is written with Greg Lewis.

Loads of pics of the Portland Lovespoon in this recent post from Dave Western's blog. Just click on the Donate button in the right hand column for your chance to win the spoon. Only one dollar per ticket!! Draw to take place and winner to be announced at the AmeriCymru booth at the Wordstock Festival in Portland on October 10th.