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Academi Writers’ Bursaries 2006 Press Release

James Hawes takes a new look at the novel
as Academi backs the future of literature 

Twenty three writers, of whom six are unpublished, have been awarded a total of £87,000 in writing bursaries by Academi, the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency. A writing bursary gives published and unpublished writers the time to write. As well as supporting new talent, bursaries have been awarded to many established figures in the literary world.

For 2006 new Welsh fiction is boosted as James Hawes, author of thrillers such as White Merc with Fins and Rancid Aluminium, aims for a change of direction with his next novel, Night Vision. Pontypridd born novelist, short story writer and musician Roger Granelli is awarded a bursary to write his sixth novel. Merthyr poet and story writer Mike Jenkins aims to write a series of poems in “open field” form based on diverse musical influences. Young Rhondda writer Rachel Trezise’s first novel In and Out of the Goldfish Bowl was highly acclaimed and won a prize on the Orange Futures Award list. She will receive a bursary to work on her next. 

The sea features prominently in Welsh fiction. Richard Collins’ debut novel The Land as Viewed from the Sea was short listed for both the Academi Book of the Year in 2005 and the Whitbread Book Award. He plans to use his travel bursary to visit New York to research his third novel. New writer Matthew Jarvis’ first novel In a Small Town Set by the Sea will follow events in the life of a group of predominantly male friends who live in the eponymous small town by the sea which is based on – but not identical to – Aberystwyth. Tristan Hughes’ next novel is set in a small seaside town on Ynys Môn.

Professional storyteller Cat Weatherill has been awarded a travel bursary which will take her to Germany to follow in the footsteps of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, to research her next book for children.

Emerging Welsh writers Matthew Jarvis, Beth Ditson, Helena Attlee, Sue Morgan, Michelle Oliver and B. S. Reeves have been awarded bursaries. One of the Welsh language recipients is Angharad Price, winner of the National Eisteddfod Prose Medal in 2002.

Peter Finch, Chief Executive of Academi said “This is a definite step towards professionalizing authorship in Wales.”  Simon Mundy, Chair of the Academi Bursaries Panel said:    ’These awards prove there is no shortage of writing talent in Wales and it would have been possible to find another 20 writers from the application process deserving of Academi’s support.”  

Academi Bursaries Panel 2005-06:

Simon Mundy (Chair), Gwen Davies, Catherine Fisher, Amanda Hopkinson, Idris Reynolds. 

Academi Writers’ Bursaries 2006 - recipients 

Mike Jenkins (Merthyr Tydfil)
 
Rachel Trezise (Rhondda Cynon Taf)
 
Hefin Wyn (Pembrokeshire)
 
Chris Keil (Carmarthenshire)
 
Eigra Lewis Roberts (Conwy)
 
Lorna Lloyd (Torfaen)
 
Roger Granelli (Rhondda Cynon Taf)
 
Helena Attlee (Powys)
 
Richard Collins (Powys)
 
B S Reeves (Powys)
 
Graham Hartill (Powys)
 
Matthew R Jarvis (Ceredigion)
 
Cat Weatherill (Powys)
 
Iwan Llwyd (Gwynedd)
 
Beth Ditson (Flint)
 
James Hawes (Cardiff)
 
Sarah Jackman (Swansea)
 
Aled Lewis Evans (Wrexham)
 
Tristan Hughes (Ynys Môn )
 
Angharad Price (Cardiff)
 
Michelle A Oliver (Cardiff)
 
Sue Morgan (Cardiff)
 
Sian Northey (Gwynedd)