Hay Writers’ Circle send many heartfelt congratulations to Kandance Siobhan Walker and Tom Bullough for their individual successes at the Wales Book of the Years Awards 2024 – English Language Books. Both have been competition judges for HWC in the past; Kandance was our judge for the Frances Copping Memorial Prize for Fiction 2020, and Tom was last years’ judge for the Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction.

Winner: The Poetry Award

Cowboy, Kandace Siobhan Walker (Cheerio Publishing)

Literature Wales writes of Cowboy – “The poems in Cowboy are knowing, millennial, internet-sick, funny, but there are deeper undercurrents, too: of embodied and disembodied spiritualities; of the knowledge of animals; of familial mythologies; of grief and longing; of autism and navigating diagnoses; of early and enduring disappointment; of the wildness underneath the smooth glass-and-chrome surfaces of contemporary life.”

To order your copy of Cowboy, Kandace Siobhan Walker from Cheerio Publishing – CLICK HERE

Winner: Overall Award & Creative Non-fiction Award

Sarn Helen, Tom Bullough (Granta Publications)

Literature Wales writes of Sarn Helen, “This is the account of Tom Bullough’s journey along Sarn Helen – Helen’s Causeway – the old Roman Road that runs from the south of Wales to the north. As Bullough walks the route, he explores the political, cultural and mythical history of this small country that has been divided by language and geography. Woven into this journey are conversations with climate scientists and the story of Tom’s engagement with the urgent issue of the climate crisis, showing us its likely impact on Wales, which is – in miniature – a vision of what lies ahead for us all.”

To order your copy of Sarn Helen, Tom Bullough from Granta Publications – CLICK HERE

To read more about Wales Book of the Year, their 2024 short lists and other 2024 wonderful winners in every category, please head over to the Literature Wales website – http://www.literaturewales.org

HWC are extremely grateful for all the time and effort each of our judges gives to our competitions. We remain constantly thankful for all their support and, like Kandace and Tom, wish them continued literary success.

Other News :

Excitement mounts as our 2024 Poetry Competition results are in! An announcement will be made on this website next week. Huge thank you to our judge, Susan Evans.

There’s Still Time …

… to enter our annual Non-Fiction Competition, The Richard Booth Prize 2024. This year we are thrilled to confirm that the judge for our Non-Fiction Competition is Dr. Alwyn Marriage.

Everyone is welcome to enter, the theme is entirely up to you and the closing date for submissions is 22nd July 2024.

For full competition guidelines and entry forms etc., please go to our Competitions page.

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