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Seren News - March 2012
Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus / Happy Saint David's Day
Good News
 | Congratulations Robert Minhinnick! Robert Minhinnick is one of twenty authors long-listed for the Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award 2012. 'El Aziz: some pages from his notebooks' is the long-listed story from his new collection The Keys of Babylon. The 2012 list includes Diana Athill, Lionel Shriver, Emma Donoghue and Will Cohu. The shortlist will be announced on the 4th March, with each shortlisted author receiving a 1,000 prize. The winner will be announced on the 30th March. |
With The Keys of Babylon being long-listed for the Sunday Times Short Story award, we are celebrating short story collections this month. Over the past few years we have published some fantastic short story collections by prize-winning authors.
Touch by Graham Mort (Winner of the Edge Hill University Short Story Prize 2011 including the Bridport Prize winning story The Prince). The Great Master of Ecstasy by Glenda Began, Pumping up Napoleon by Maria Donovan, spooky anthology Sing Sorrow Sorrow edited by Gwen Davies and My First Colouring Book by award winning author Lloyd Jones.
International Women's Day
To celebrate International Women's Day on 8th March 2012, we are offering you 10 titles published by Seren women writers for 5 each. Click here and get some fantastic books at a great price.
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If you are feeling the Rugby Fever and have been enjoying watching Wales, you might be interested in a fantatsic book of images from Wales' Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand. The images capture some of Wales' highs and lows and illustrate why the Wales' Rugby team were one of the most talked about teams during the World Cup. Heads Held High is 16.99 or only 13.59 if you join Seren's free online bookclub. |  |
First Poetry Collection of 2012 available now paperback and ebook
 | Regeneration by Meirion Jordan Regeneration is Welsh poet Meirion Jordans take on the medieval manuscripts known today as Llyfr Coch Hergest and Llyfr Gwyn Rhydderch (the Red Book of Hergest and the White Book of Rhydderch ). This collection is not a reinterpretation but a re-imagining, inspired by the source material that include the stories of the Mabinogi (first made famous by the Victorian translations of Lady Charlotte Guest) as well as by Mallorys version of King Arthurs tales. In Red Book we meet characters drawn from the eleven stories of the Mabinogi, like Arawn, lord of Annwn; Rhiannons gossips and Blodeuedd (the woman made of flowers). White Book, gives us a cast of kings, queens, knights and companions of the round table. This long poem treats themes of love, betrayal, friendship, kinship, and the vexed question of leadership, in poems that revolve around the contentious figure of King Arthur. ISBN: 9781854115553 |
Forthcoming Titles
 | T he Gospel of Us by Owen Sheers This novella by Owen Sheers retells the Passion, based on the authors groundbreaking National Theatre of Wales play starring Michael Sheen and performed over three days in Port Talbot Last Easter. While the town awaits the arrival of the Company Man, a stranger appears in the windswept dunes, singing songs to the sea. This is just the start of three days of unearthly events in Port Talbot that see the Teacher soothe a suicide bomber and the dead rising from the walls of an underpass. In T he Gospel of Us , Owen Sheers reimagines his three day dramatization of the Passion for the National Theatre of Wales, set in the streets and clubs of Port Talbot. The Gospel of Us is also a major motion picture, starring Michael Sheen. It will be screening at cinemas and arts centres throughout England and Wales during April and May. Click here for the premiere and all other listings. "Owen is one of the finest writers at work today. He always finds the sublime in the everyday and the miracle in the mundane." Michael Sheen, Actor Publication: April 2012 ISBN:9781854116222 Paperback: 8.99
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 | The Book of Idiots by Christopher Meredith In The Book of Idiots , tipsy, sick Wil Daniel tells the narrator, Dean, a tale that may be a ghost story or a romance, a farce or a tragedy. Meanwhile we get glimpses of Deans own half-lived life, and those of friends and colleagues. These threads develop into a dark, offbeat and merciless examination of maleness and mortality. Can Clive regain the triumphs he achieved at the age of nine? Will Jeff stop his swimming trunks from dissolving? Outstanding in its use of dialogue to reveal character, this superbly written novel develops into a meditation on kinds of suffering that are no less acute for being routine. You will sail through this hilarious black comedy at one sitting. It is a literary masterpiece a thriller in which we guess who survives rather than who will die next. This is a fine novel hard to put down and an adventure in meaning. Christopher Meredith is the author of the award-winning Shifts . His other novels include Griffri and Sidereal Time . He also publishes poetry The Meaning of Flight and Snaring Heaven and translations. The Book of Idiots is his fourth novel. Publication: March 2012 ISBN: 9781854115652 Paperback: 8.99
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 | John Ormond: Collected Poems by Michael J. Collins John Ormond (1923-1990) is one of the remarkable generation of poets born in south Wales in the early 1920s which includes Dannie Abse and Leslie Norris. A journalist on Picture Post during its heyday in the 1940s, he was a friend of fellow Swansea writers Dylan Thomas and Vernon Watkins, both of whom were key influences on a poetry of consistently high standards. A significant number of his poems, many of them elegiac, probe his Welsh roots, demonstrating an abiding concern with family and locality. This Collected Poems draws together all of Ormonds work, including unpublished material. It includes an Introduction by the editor, Michael J. Collins, notes and commentary of the poems re: their geneses, backgrounds, allusions and meanings, and a bibliography of Ormonds prose writing, films and writing about him. An index of titles and first lines completes this essential book. Publication: March 2012 ISBN: 9781854115218 Paperback:12.99
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 | Jack the Ripper: A Hand of a Woman by John Morris The Jack the Ripper murders of 1888 continue to exert a macabre hold on the imagination over a century later. Among the first serial murders, their brutality and bizarreness, and the seeming impossibility of detection have a terrible fascination. Jack the Ripper: The Hand of a Woman is the result of extensive research by author John Morris and his late father. Starting with the many unresolved questions about the murders they concluded that they could be answered if Jack was in reality a woman. But who could she be? The story of their researches includes many twists and turns as they reach an all too plausible conclusion, naming a suspect and answering the question of why the murders started, and just as suddenly stopped. Publication: March 2012 ISBN: 9781854115669 Paperback: 9.99
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Meet the Author
Thursday 1st March 7.30pm: First Thursday The Mabingion reinvented by two of Wales's most talented young authors, Meirion Jordan (with his new poetry collection, Regeneration ) and Fflur Dafydd with her new book in Seren's popular 'Mabinogion' prose series, The White Trail . Come and celebrate St. David's Day with us. Media Point Room, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff 2.50.
Friday 2nd March, 10am - 1pm. 'Walking on Legends' with Paul Henry , Mynydd Llangors, Powys. A literary walk across the hill that shaped Henrys early poetry. Part of the Crickhowell Walking Festival and sponsored by 'Book-ish' book shop. Cost is 5.00 and the meeting point is Crickhowell town centre. Further details: Emma at Book-ish Tel. 01873 811256 or email bookishcrickhowell@googlemail.com . Bookings: www.crickhowellfestival.com
Monday 5th March, 6.30pm. LITERATURE LIVE: Rupert Thomson and Patrick McGuinness . John Thaw Studio Theatre, Manchester University. Tickets 6.00/4.00 available from www.quaytickets.com or from the box office on 0161 275 8951, email boxoffice@manchester.ac.uk
Thursday 8th March 3pm: International Women's Day: 'Poet's Corner' at The Hours Cafe & Bookshop. Brecon Women's Festival are delighted to welcome Ruth Bidgood and Anne Cluysenaar two of Wales' most established and celebrated poets to 'The Hours' to share their work. For further information email: thehours@btinernet.com
Saturday 10th March. 'Teifi Writers' Poetry Workshop with Paul Henry will take place in Llandysul, Ceredigion. For further details contact Kelly Yamazaki - yamazaki.kelly@yahoo.co.uk
Saturday 24th March 7pm: Launch of The Book of Idiots by Christopher Meredith. The Hours Cafe & Bookshop, 15 Ship Street, Brecon LD3 9AD thehours@btinternet.com 01874 622 800
Tuesday 27th March 6.30pm: Book Launch Jack the Ripper: The Hand of a Woman by John Morris. Dubray Books 36, Grafton Street, Dublin 2. Guest Speaker Mr Paul Williams: Journalist & Crime Writer
Friday 30th March 11.30pm: Owen Sheers will be talking to Claudia Winkleman on the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show. Owen will be discussing his latest novel The Gospel of Us (Seren, 8.99).
Sunday 8th April: The film version of The Gospel of Us , starring Michael Sheen, will premiere at the Apollo Cinema in Port Talbot. For a full listing of The Gospel of Us screenings in Wales and England click here
May Blodflash: Blodwen Launches New Kitchen Accessories – The ‘Cegin’ Range
By Ceri Shaw, 2011-05-03
Blodwen Launches New Kitchen Accessories - The 'Cegin' Range
Welcome to our May Blodflash and to the launch of a range of new products for the heart of your home - the kitchen or cegin as we say in Wales. The Cegin range is made up of a selection of fine napkins, t-towels, aprons and tablemats, all beautifully designed by Blodwen, hand screen-printed and produced by local artisans from across Wales.
The range is in a dramatic monochrome colourway and is designed to be bang on trend for Spring. It complements our popular hand-thrown earthenware the mugs, jugs, jam pots, loving cups and cappuccino sets that make up our wonderful Llestri Cymraeg range as well as some newly commissioned black and white textiles straight from our local mills which include a selection of tapestry floor rugs, vintage and new blankets.
Blodwen has also designed some contemporary new clasp and zip purses/make-up bags for that quick dash to the shops great with one of our lovely hand-weaved wicker shopping baskets.
So if you want your home to be ablaze with Blodwen this Spring just take a look atthese fun, functional pieces - all hand made with care in Wales.
Blodwen - Bringing thecraftman's way of life to your way of living www.blodwen.com
Blodwen Stop Press : Calling all friends of Blodwen a number of fabulous events are happening this month :
- Dont miss the Hay Literary Festival for cerebral celebration May 26 th -5 th June boxoffice@hayfestival.com .
- If youre in London be sure to drop in on The London Welsh Centre, Grays Inn Road on the 16 th May to celebrate the launch of acclaimed pianist, Iwan Llewellyn Jones new CD Songs Without Words. Tickets available at The Wales In London website and all profits go to the Welsh School.
- Blodwen launches in Sydney Australia on May 14th in Pure & General - one of the city's newest concept stores. Watch this space for more international news.
Finally huge congratulations to CADWGAN for its successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the restoration of Cardigan Castle the historic birthplace of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Paul Child is Wales' biggest independent selling artist. Paul has sang the Welsh National Anthem at many of the Wales international rugby matches at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. ( When Paul sings, Wales wins!). We are extremely proud to welcome Paul to this year's West Coast eisteddfod in L.A. where he will be headlining and leading the singing of the Welsh anthem at the opening concert on Friday Tickets for the performance can be purchased at the bottom of this page.
AmeriCymru: Hi Paul...many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. We last interviewed you two years ago. Care to fill us in on developments over the last few years?
Paul: The last couple of years have been really exciting, with the release of the 'After All These Years' CD in 2009, followed by the 'Best Of...' double CD "My Wales' last Summer. Both CDs have done really well, with the 'My Wales' CD outselling both Cerys Matthews' and Charlotte Church's latest releases. I also performed the Welsh National Anthem for the Welsh football team for the first time last October which was a great honour.
AmeriCymru: You recently performed at Disneyland Paris as part of their annual Festival of Wales, how was that experience and how did it come about?
Paul: Disney in Paris have been holding their Festival of Wales in March for the last couple of years, it's a great 3 day event which sees Minnie Mouse dressed in full Welsh costume for the weekend and lots of Choirs and performers around the park. This year they asked me go go over with my full ten piece band to headline the event. It was a great show with lots of Welsh people who had travelled over for the Welsh weekend as well as a great number of ex-pats living in the area.
AmeriCymru: At Disneyland, you performed "There's a Place," from your "My Wales" album - how was that song chosen and what can you tell us about it's creation?
Paul: Although the 'My Wales' double album is mainly a compilation of the most popular songs from my previous eight albums, we wanted to include a couple brand new songs, just to keep things fresh - Along with "Coming Home To Wales, "There's A Place" is one of my favourites. It was originally written in the Welsh language but we wanted to make it more accessible so it was re-written it in English, it's lovely song. The youtube link below shows a live performance of the track at Cardiff International Arena.
AmeriCymru: You're a father, do your children get to watch you perform? Are they ever able to travel with you? How do they like their dad's performances?
Paul: I'm a very proud father to Michael who is 12 and Kate who is 10. They have been to a few local shows and they like to get involved with the soundcheck and set-up. They are both members of the local youth theatre and Michael particularly loves acting and performing. We have just signed him up to a kids talent agency so we'll see what comes of that!
AmeriCymru: You will be appearing at he West Coast Eisteddfod in September. Is this your first performance in the States? First time in L.A.?
Paul: I am very excited about performing in LA, it will be my first time to do so but I'm lucky enough to have been there a few times in my life - I absolutely love the place! I remember my parents taking me the Disneyland when I was eleven and I made the trip again on my own when I was about 25. In Summer 2009 my wife and I took the kids over, we did Disney, Universal Studios, Seaworld plus of course Hollywood and the beaches. The Strand on Hermosa Beach has to be one of my favourite places in the world - I'd love to retire there one day!
AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?
Paul: Thanks you so much for inviting me to perform at the West Coast Eisteddfod, I am so looking forward to it. I'm sure that it is going to be a fantastic few days that we will all remember for a very long time - see you in September!
If you go to this url http://www.cbc.ca/nxnw/ you can hear a half hour interview with David Western master lovespoon carver. Its a fascinating interview dealing with the history and techniques of the craft. There is also a link on the page to his blog http://davidwestern.blogspot.com . The blog has a link to the donation page for the Left Coast Eisteddfod. We would like to encourage all our members and readers to listen to the interview, read the blog and consider donating to the Left Coast Eisteddfod fund. Every dollar you donate entitles you to one "ticket" in the online raffle for the unique lovespoon which David is carving to support the event. Enjoy!
Hear the Interview here. David Western's Portland Eisteddfod Lovespoon The Left Coast Eisteddfod Buy David's book here . Summer sale on AmeriCymru. The July heat boils our brains 
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STOP PRESS: 10TH ANNIVERSARY OFFER - $25 FOR 12 MONTHS
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We have 3 advertisement sizes available (details below) and we are always willing to consider bespoke advertising pages where appropriate.
ALSO Did you know that you can sell direct through AmeriCymru? Check out the details here and email americymru@gmail.com for enquiries OR just log in and add your products
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Communicate your message to members and readers of AmeriCymru with a creative selection of advertising solutions:
- 1120px X 210px (aprox) top page banner ad, $70.00USD connected to link of your choice ( 4 spots available, ad runs for 6 months )
- 200px X 200px graphic ad in the right hand column $25.00USD ( 8 spots available, ad runs for 12 months )
- custom full page ad, including layout, design, content and promotional SEO and web marketing package for one year, $200.00USD.
We're happy to create a custom marketing campaign or package for you, contact us at americymru@gmail.com tell us what result you want and let's create it together.
If you don't have a graphic ad ready but you want one, we can make it for you. Design and graphic services are available at no extra charge. We can use your images and text or create graphics, photographs and SEO-ready marketing copy for you.
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Just Ten Days To Go To Submit Your Design Ideas For This Year's West Coast Eisteddfod Lovespoon!
By Ceri Shaw, 2011-03-22
Special Announcement
Ten days to go to submit your design ideas for this year's West Coast Eisteddfod Lovespoon. There are three spaces on the spoon which have been reserved for our readers design suggestions. You can submit as many ideas as you like ( drawings particularly welcome ). Ten ideas, one each from ten entrants, will be selected and will go forward to the final vote in April. The voting widget will appear in a special blog post on AmeriCymru. The three design ideas which get the most votes will be incorporated in the spoon's final design. The three winners will each reeive a copy of David's fabulous book ( pictured here ) "The Fine Art of Carving Lovespoons" So....DONT DELAY, ENTER TODAY!!! Even if you have already submitted a suggestion or two feel free to suggest more. Go to this blog post to enter your design idea as a comment if you are on AmeriCymru:- David Western's Lovespoon Blog: "Good things DO happen in threes!" If you are on Facebook go to this blog:- West Coast Eisteddfod Lovespoon Contest On! to post your design suggestions in the Facebook comment box at the bottom of the page. All suggestions will be examined and a shortlist drawn up for the final vote at the end of March.
