Adjudication by Peter Thabit Jones:-

Americymru Poetry Competition 2012

First prize: When You Smile You'll Be a Dog No More by Paul Steffan Jones

Second prize: Bourdon by Paul McMahon

Both will be published in THE SEVENTH QUARRY Swansea Poetry Magazine in February 2013, Issue 17.

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I enjoyed reading this years entries and I would like to also mention the following:

Edges by David Cooke

Vacancy Signs by Darrell Lindsay

Untitled poem by Meg Eden

16.7.12 by Coralie Donkers

The Portland Lovespoon 2012 Draw ends at midnight ( Pacific Time ) on Friday 12th October. We need time to make tickets for the draw If you want a chance to win this unique work of art please donate now. All proceeds go to cover West Coast Eisteddfod costs.

( NOTE ON DONATING: Go to the 'Donate' button in the right hand column on this page. A PayPal dialog page will open. Select your amount ... 1 dollar = 1 ticket in the draw. The draw will be held publicly at the West Coast Eisteddfod at the Multnomah Arts Center on October 13th in Portland Oregon.. The winner will receive their prize by mail unless they are present in the audience. We hope to film the draw and post the video on AmeriCymru. If you live in Portland and wish to buy tickets for the WCE please go to this page :- West Coast Eisteddfod 2012 )

We are extremely pleased to announce that we have engaged the services of AmeriCymru member Gerald Lewis to stream the Night of The Living Bards event 'live' on AmeriCymru. For all our members and followers who cant make it to Portland the live stream can be found here:- 'The Living Bards' - Live . For anyone who does live in the Portland area please buy tickets now and qualify for our $50 gift card draw. Four of the first fifty persons to buy tickets will win a $50 gift card to spend on the night. Treat your friend, spouse or significant other to a meal and a few shots of Penderyn Welsh Whisky whilst enjoying our superb bill of live entertainment. For details of the program and to reserve tickets please go here:- 'Night of The Living Bards'

More on Gerald Lewis "As an Ex-BBC Director and cameraman I have 30 years experience, professionalism and knowledge to bring to your projects. I have produced marketing and training videos for Fortune 500 clients, multi-national corporations as well as for local companies and businesses. I believe that my attention to detail and the personal service I bring to every client has contributed greatly to my reputation and the success of my business."

We'd like to second that

Friends at Wa r , published by Pont Books is a heart-warming story of friendship and loyalty amidst the adversity of war.

It is the summer of 1940, the country is at war and three young boys in the South Wales Valleys, Robert and his friends Aldo and Freddo Moretti, are all desperately waiting for news of their fathers. All three are born and bred in the valleys but Aldo and Freddos family is Italian.

No one has heard from Roberts father since a naval battle with the Germans off the coast of Norway. When an official-looking letter arrives, he is desperate to open it, but scared of what it might say.

Aldo and Freddo are also waiting to hear from their father when news arrives that a large ship, the Arandora Star has been torpedoed by a German U-boat

War is complicated and so is friendship. Roberts loyalty to his best friends is tested when a German prisoner of war helps the Moretti brothers.

In June 1940, when Italy declared war on the British and French forces, Italians who lived in the UK were branded as enemy aliens. In time of war, fear and insecurities often led to anger and hatred and life changed for many Welsh-Italian families in the South Wales Valleys. Welsh-Italian men, both young and old, were arrested and taken from their homes and interned, tearing families apart and splitting communities. On the 2nd of July 1940, the Arandora Star, was attacked by a German U-boat whilst transporting a number of internees to Canada, and more than 800 people tragically lost their lives.

In July 2010, and 70 years since the tragedy, a memorial was unveiled at St Davids Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral, Cardiff in memory of the innocent Welsh-Italians who lost their lives when the ship sank off the coast of Ireland.

A valuable resource for schools, Friends at War, would be an ideal text to use as part of WWII themed lessons. Not only does the story give a strong sense of history and highlights a forgotten wartime tragedy the sinking of the Arandora Star, children between 9 and 12 years old will be able to identify with the three boys. The story would also be ideal to use as inspiration for creative tasks.

Readers were first introduced to Robert and Freddo in Alan Lamberts first novel for children, Robertos War. The rough treatment experienced by some of the Italian families living and working in the Valleys during the Second World War inspired Alan to write the original story, Robertos War and the themes of friendship and growing up in a close community are present in both novels.

Alan Lambert grew up in the Merthyr Valley but now lives in London. He is a former teacher and has also worked for the BBC as Commissioning Executive for primary school programmes. His first novel, Robertos War, was published by Pont Books in 2009.


Friends at War is available to buy from all good bookshops and online retailers.



Bibliographical Information:

Friends at War ISBN: 9781848514669 Price: 5.99 pb

Alan Lambert

My post on the Wordstock blog. An intro to our panel discussion at Wordstock, 11 a.m. Saturday, October 9th, OEA Stage, Oregon Convention Center featuring Niall Griffiths, Harrison Solow and Chris Keil.

http://www.wordstockfestival.com/cms/?p=1823

p.s They didn't use my pic! This is the one I sent 'em.

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Judy Brown shortlisted for the FENTON Aldeburgh First Collection Prize 2012

Congratulations to Judy Brown! Her poetry collection Loudness has been shortlisted for the FENTON Aldeburgh First Collection Prize 2012. Judy is shortlisted along side Sean Borodale. Olivia McCannon. Richard Meier and Jacob Sam-Las Rose. The winner will be announced on the Friday 2nd November, during the weekend of the 24th Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Robert Seatter (Chair) who published his third collection in 2011 and is Head of BBC History said: The shortlist was as usual very hard won, measuring the reflective, the searing voices against the incisive and the witty, but all united in their brave and defining use of concentrated language. "This is a terrific debut collection..." - Poetry London

Patrick McGuinness shortlisted for the 2012 Writers Guild Award for Best Fiction Book

Award-winning novel The Last Hundred Days has been shortlisted for the 2012 Writers Guild Award for 'Best Fiction Book' - Patrick's debut novel is listed along side two other titles for this award. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 14th November at the Tabernacle in Notting Hill. "engaging" The New York Times Book Review "stunning" The Times "an assured performance" The Literary Review

The xx womens writing festival 2012

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff on Saturday 27th October 2012 The xx womens writing festival will showcase writing by and for women from Wales and the world. An afternoon and evening of fiction, poetry, interviews and entertainment will feature award-winning Seren poets Rhian Edwards and Emily Hinshelwood . Also featured are novelists Nikita Lalwani, Rachel Trezise, Roshi Fernando, and many others.

This inaugural event aims to bring together readers and new and established writers, plus editors and critics, to enjoy the burgeoning range and depth of writing by women from Wales in English. To enjoy everything from cutting-edge performance at our literary salon to the launch of new books by classic authors, plus bookstalls, eating and drinking, join us from 2.30pm til late on Saturday 27th October price 15 day ticket or 4 per event.

For more details contact Chapter Arts Centre www.chapter.org

This festival is organised by Penny Thomas (Fiction Editor at Seren), Amy Wack (Poetry Editor at Seren), Susie Wild (Associate Editor at Parthian) and Carole Burns (Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Winchester and author of Off The Page ). Funders and supporters for the festival include Chapter Arts Centre, Literature Wales, The Co-operative, Seren, Mslexia , Honno, Parthian, Gomer and WM (the womens supplement of the Western Mail).

Ellie Evans (1942-2012)

It was sad to hear that poet Ellie Evans passed away on Monday 17th September 2012. Ellie had published her debut poetry collection The Ivy Hides the Fig Ripe Duchess with us in 2011. Ellie was a very talented and wonderful person and we all here at Seren feel very lucky to have worked with her. Ellie's poem The Living Goddess is our October Poem of the Month.

New Titles

On Becoming a Fish by Emily Hinshelwood On Becoming a Fish was inspired by a series of walks around the 186 mile Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in West Wales, known for its spectacular views from cliffside paths skirting the Irish sea and the Bristol Channel. Deeply engaged with environmental issues through her work in community energy and climate change, the author is also a keen observer of human nature in the context of this beautiful coastline. Emily Hinshelwood is a winner of the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry . ISBN: 9781854115775 Paperback:8.99

See How They Run by Lloyd Jones New Stories from the Mabinogion Small-minded, malicious academic Dr Llwyd McNamara has a grant to research one of Wales biggest heroes: rugby player big M. But as he plays with his USB sticks in his little office, the gods have other plans for him. Prize-winning author Lloyd Jones tackles this retelling of the Third Branch of the Mabinogion: Manawyddan son of Llyr, with his usual ingenuity, imaginative intelligence and zest for language to create a skilful and hugely enjoyable tale. "Lloyd Jones's novella has the epic scope of the novels of Umberto Eco ... the quirkiness and attention to detaill of John Irving. - New Welsh Review ISBN: 9781854115904 Paperback: 8.99

Blood, Bird, Snow by Cynan Jones New Stories from the Mabinogion The original Peredur tale recounts the adventures of a youth bent on recognition as a knight in King Arthurs court. In true questing fashion, he defends maidens, defeats giants, and eventually overcomes the witches who have cursed him. Award-winning author Cynan Jones turns the tale into a modern Quixotian romp. Hoping to save him from the same fate as his father and brothers dead, jailed or missing Peredurs mother takes him from the sink estate. But the world wont be held at bay. When local kids cycle into his life, he follows. "Seren's series of new stories inspired by the Mabinogion may be the greatest service to the Welsh national epic since Lady Charlotte Guest..." - The Guardian ( 2010) ISBN: 9781854115898 Paperback: 8.99 Publication: 15th October

Call Mother a Lonely Field by Liam Carson A memoir of an Irish-speaking childhood in Belfast and a moving testament to growing up during the Troubles. Call Mother a Lonely Field mines the emotional archaeology of family, home and language, the authors attempts to break their tethers, and the refuge he finds within them. Carson confronts the complex relationship between a son thinking in English, a father dreaming in Irish and a mother who, after raising five children through Irish, is no longer comfortable speaking the language in the violent reality of 1970s Belfast. "An immensely pleasurable book, and a valuable addition to the canon of Irish autobiography. - The Irish Times ISBN: 9781854115881 Paperback: 8.99

Forthcoming Titles

Sen Tyrone: A Symphony of Horrors by Mark Ryan Published posthumously, this illustrated novel describes a young mans search for his absent father and the horrors he encounters on his journey. Sen OBrien left his wife and son in County Tyrone to find work as a collier in the South Wales Valleys. He last posted money and a letter from somewhere called Aberuffern (the mouth of hell). Years later Niamh OBrien is dying. Her last wish is for Jack, her only son, to discover what became of his father: Find him and then I can go to my grave in happiness and peace. In brilliantly lyrical prose, Mark Ryan employs the black humour and wit of the Welsh and Irish traditions to tell the story of Jacks odyssey from inexperience to manhood. PRE-ORDER NOW! ISBN: 9781854116475 Paperback: 8.99

More for the Helen of Troy by Simon Mundy More for Helen of Troy is suffused with the atmosphere of the landscapes that inspire the poet: Italy, the lush countryside of Powys, and a number of islands all over the world Grenada, Jamaica, Shetland. It is also deeply involved with many questions of desire: for the ideal of a beautiful woman; for the hope of a good state; for the vision of a pristine country and seaside. The tension between these ideals, between lofty aims and inevitable disappointments, come together in the main title sequence, where an entire society must scheme and suffer for the allure of Helen. Sometimes keenly satirical, often poignantly lyrical, these poems are both pointed and enjoyable. PRE-ORDER NOW! ISBN: 9781854115782 Paperback:8.99 Publication: 29th October

Real Swansea 2 by Nigel Jenkins Real Swansea 2 is a further look at his hometown by poet Nigel Jenkins. With characteristic insight, humour and an eye for the odd and unusual Jenkins explores the part of the city, which he was forced to omit from Real Swansea . His subjects include sport, the Welsh language, drama, sex and drugs, refugees and asylum seekers, key buildings such as the Guildhall, the Glynn Vivian and the National Waterfront Museum, and districts such as Morriston, the Hafod and Sandfields. From Dylan Thomas Kardomah Caf and the Grand Theatre to brothels and the Welsh School of Architectural Glass, from Mumbles Pier to Llangyfelach and from Salubrious Passge to the National Waterfront Musuemall Swansea life is here, celebrated in stylish prose and pin sharp poetry. PRE-ORDER NOW! ISBN: 9781854116482 Paperback:9.99 Publication: 6th November

The Chapels of Wales by D. Huw Owen The Chapels of Wales is a gazetteer of approximately 110 chapels, which played such a central role in the faith, culture and history of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Wales, and whose influence continues into the present century, despite an alarming closure rate of two a week. Owens comprehensive survey records some of the buildings now being lost and explores the life to be found within those, which remain. Owen journeys across Wales, exploring Welsh and English-speaking chapels in all parts of the countryin cities, towns and villages. He also ventures into the Welsh diaspora, taking in chapels in Liverpool, London, Oswestry, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Melbourne, Toronto, Gaiman (Patagonia) and the Khasi Hills (north east India). PRE-ORDER NOW! ISBN: 9781854115546 Paperback: 14.99 Publication: 21st November

Meet the Author

Thursday 11th October, 11.45am: Rhian Edwards is reading from her debut poetry collection Clueless Dogs at the 'Forward into the 21st Century' event at The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Also reading are John Burnside and William Sieghart.

Saturday 13th October, 3pm: Eva Salzman & George Ella Lyon will be reading at the Southern Festival of Books, Nashville Tn. For further information contact Serenity Gerbman: serenity@humanitiestennessee.org

Friday 26th October, 7pm: Sen Tyrone: A Symphony of Horrors book launch. Media Point Room, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

Friday 26th October, 2.30 - 4.45pm: Workshop with Pascale Petit in Artes Mundi 5 exhibition, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP. For more information visit the webiste: www.museumwales.ac.uk

Friday 26th October, 6.30pm: John Morris will be reading and signing copies of Jack the Ripper: The Hand of the Woman at Waterstones Cardiff (The Hayes).

Saturday 27th October 2012 2.30pm: The xx womens writing festival will showcase writing by and for women from Wales and the world. Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. From 2.30pm onwards. For tickets visit www.chapter.org

Tuesday 30th October 2012, 6.30pm: John Morris will be reading and signing copies of Jack the Ripper: The Hand of the Woman at Waterstones Aberystwyth.

Wednesday 31st October 2012, 6.30pm: John Morris will be reading and signing copies of Jack the Ripper: The Hand of the Woman at Waterstones Caramarthen.

Thursday 1st November 2012, 7.30pm: 'First Thursday' literary evening at Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff. Featuring guest poet Grahame Davies and novelist Paul Binding. Followed by an Open Mic Night. 2.50 entrance.

Saturday 3rd November, 1pm: Launch of Keidrych Rhys: The Van Pool with Charles Mundye at the Dylan Thomas Festival. Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. You can buy tickets online at www.dylanthomas.com or call 01792 463980.

From David Western's Portland Lovespoon Blog:- "I am a little excited today because this week, I get to report that the spoon is finished."..... MORE

For a chance to win this unique work of art please click on the 'donate' button either on the blogpost linked above or on the AmeriCymru homepage here . Every dollar entitles you to one ticket/one chance in the grand prize draw which will take place at our booth at Wordstock in Portland on Sunday October 10th 2010. All proceeds got to support the Left Coast Eisteddfod in this and subsequent years. The winning donor will be notified via email.

To reserve tickets for this years Left Coast Eisteddfod 'Night of The Living Bards'event go here .

Last year's David Western Lovespoon winner Howard Evans very kindly and generously brought the 2009 spoon to NAFOW with him from Montana to show it off and help sell a lot of tickets for this year's spoon drawing. Good luck to everyone, David is doing this year's spoon with artist Laura Jenkins-Gorun and it is completely amazing!

This Years Model