Seren is celebrating after the announcement that two poets – Rhian Edwards and Deryn Rees-Jones – are shortlisted for the Roland Mathias Award, the poetry category of Wales Book of the Year 2013.

Rhian Edwards is a winner of the John Tripp Award, and her debut Clueless Dogs was previously shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. "Poetry has never sounded so alive" - Cerys Matthews. “An astounding Welsh poet with performances that get you in the emotional gut…” – Ian McMillan

Deryn Rees-Jones' Burying the Wren was also on the shortlist for the TS Eliot Prize, and a Poetry Books Society Recommendation. "A major event and achievement in the poetry of these islands." – Ian Duhig. "A powerful, deeply moving collection..." – John Burnside.

Also shortlisted for The Roland Mathias Prize was Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch with Banjo (Picador). For full details and the shortlists in Fiction and Non-fiction and Welsh-language books, visit Wales Book of the Year where you can watch a video of the announcement and discussion by the Chairs of Judges Alun Gibbard and Jasper Fforde.