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Rhian Edwards and Deryn Rees-Jones on shortlist for Wales Book of the Year 2013

 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.

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Francesca Rhydderch talks about ‘The Rice Paper Diaries’

 
Seren has produced a short film for The Rice Paper Diaries in which Francesca Rhydderch discusses the themes and inspiration behind her debut novel. The Rice Paper Diaries is a story of war told from the edges, with much of the action taking place in World War Two in Hong Kong. The city fell to the Japanese in a humiliating defeat for the British Empire. The book was partly inspired by Francesca’s great-aunt, who was interned in Stanley Camp. Informed by her research into her great-aunt’s experiences, Francesca’s novel has four interweaving narratives, skillfully drawing out the subtle interplay of intimate, personal emotions set against the backdrop of an epic conflict. Click here to view on YouTube