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Seren News - October 2012
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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 |
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.
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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
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 | 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
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 | 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
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 | 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. 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. ISBN: 9781854115782 Paperback:8.99 Publication: 29th October
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 | 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. ISBN: 9781854116482 Paperback:9.99 Publication: 6th November
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 | 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). 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.
