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Poet Katrina Naomi has been awarded an international grant to help fund her new project, ‘Basho & Beyond’. The grant is being taken from the Artists’ international development fund, funded by the British Council and Arts Council England.
For the project, Katrina will undertake a 5-week writing visit to Japan, where she will write poems in response to walking in rural and urban areas. Here is what Katrina had to say about receiving the grant, and her aims for the project:
Japan is somewhere I’ve always wanted to go – and to get this funding is amazing. Walking and writing tend to go together for me. I’ll begin by walking a series of routes that Basho followed between Tokyo and Kyoto, writing every day, and will then spend 3 weeks walking and writing in Kofu city, so I’ll be writing in response to the rural and urban. I’ve been working this rural/urban divide out in my head since leaving London for Cornwall, so I’ll be able to shake this up even more in my poetry by writing in response to Japan. I find I often write well in response to strangeness and the slightly scary. I’ll be alone in a country where I don’t speak the language for 5 weeks, this will provoke a lot to respond to! I’m looking forward to studying traditional Japanese poetic forms, then meeting contemporary Japanese poets to find out what inspires them in their poetry. It’s a brilliant opportunity, I can’t wait to go.
 
 
 
 
 

Ritual, 1969, Jo Mazelis’ uncanny and quietly sinister new short story collection, has been named by Wales Arts Review as one of the ten best Welsh books of 2016.
On choosing the winning books, Wales Arts Review stated:
Some tough decisions had to be made, but the writers at Wales Arts Review eventually managed to agree on the 10 best books to come from Welsh writers or Welsh publishers in 2016. From the Hitler Youth to a rewriting of the history of visual arts in Wales, the list provides a diverse reading list and a rich pool of ideas and talent. Yet again, Welsh literature proves to be in extremely rude health.
Read John Lavin’s glittering review of Ritual, 1969 on the Wales Arts Review website.
 
About Ritual, 1969:
This darkly gothic collection of stories explores the unsettling borderland between reality and the supernatural. Ranging from early twentieth-century France to 1960s South Wales and contemporary Europe, Jo Mazelis’ singular vision and poetic language creates characters caught up in events and feelings they do not fully understand or control, giving the book its uncanny focus. Not all is as it seems in a world where first impressions may only conceal disguises and false trails – and there’s no going back.A thrilling third collection from the author of Jerwood Award winning novel Significance.
 
 
 
 
 
 

If you’re anything like us, the last-minute Christmas panic has probably started to kick in. To keep the worry at bay and help make sure all your gifts arrive in time, we are upgrading all orders placed today (Wednesday 21 December) to First Class delivery at no extra charge.
Take a look at our fantastic poetry, fiction, and non-fiction – there’s something for everyone.
Order before 5pm to have your books posted today.
 
 
 
 
 

5 days ‘til Christmas – where has the time gone? If you’re still sorting out your presents then never fear, you can still order our books and receive them before Christmas day.
Today is the last recommended posting date for our postage service. If you’re searching for last-minute literary gifts then don’t delay – orders placed any later than 5pm today can’t be guaranteed for Christmas.
 
Top gift ideas:
An un-put-downable novelSwimming on Dry Landby Helen BlackhurstRRP £9.99£4.99 (today only!)Helen Blackhurst’s tense and atmospheric debut novel, Swimming on Dry Land, is half price today (20/12/16) as our featured Advent Calendar offer. Set in outback Australia, the book follows the Harvey family’s search for a dream life, and the dark turn it takes after daughter Georgie disappears.
 
A glimpse at stunning history and craftWelsh Quiltsby Jen Jones£12.99Jen Jones’ authoritative guide to the history of quilting in Wales is visually stunning, and a truly fascinating insight into traditional Welsh quilting methods and styles. Welsh Quilts is the ideal gift for the quilter, crafter, or heritage lover in your life.
 
A glorious wildlife and nature eye-openerWild Placesby Iolo Williams£19.99Iolo Williams’ new guide book, Wild Places, will take you and your loved ones off the beaten track for your Christmas walks, with 40 wildlife sites across Wales to choose from. Make the most of the great outdoors with this informative and lavishly illustrated guide that, if used properly, will be crumpled from much use in the years to come.
 
We hope you have a lovely literary Christmas.

Earlier this month we invited you to submit a poem to our Christmas Poetry Competition, judged by Seren Poetry Editor Amy Wack. We received so many wonderful entries, and would like to thank all who took the time to send us their poems.
Choosing a winner was no easy task, but we are pleased to announce that the winning poem, which will feature as the official Seren Christmas card 2016, is ‘St Leonore and the Robin’ by Pippa Little.
Keep an eye on your inbox for the next Seren email, which will feature Pippa’s poem in all its glory.
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