Tag Archives: Jean O’Donoghue

Tam Allen’s Book Launch Success, A Writing Exercise with Responses, and Hay Festival 2026

Posted on March 15, 2026 by thehaywriters

Congratulations to new HWC member, Tam Allen, on the recent launch of her poetry book, “Roots”, published by The Conrad Press. Tam’s poems celebrate the strength found in vulnerability and the courage to face the challenges life brings. They are heartfelt and deeply moving. Her poems deal with her own experiences of loss, grief, healing and the profound acceptance which comes from adversity. Each piece is beautifully illustrated by Sion Rees… Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged book launch, Books, Catherine Smedley, Creative writing, Hay Festival, Hay Writers., Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Jean O'Donoghue, literature, Martine Smith, Nick Thomas, poem, poems, poetry, Tam Allen, writing, Writing Groups., Writing Starters | Leave a comment

Hay Festival Sell-Out Success, and “Stepping Out With an ‘E’ ” from Martine Smith

Posted on May 29, 2025 by thehaywriters

Isn’t it fun! Aren’t we all have the greatest time, seeing loads of interesting events and buying lots, and lots, and lots of books! If, like me, your answer is a resounding YES! then you will already be heading over to the Hay Festival website to buy more tickets – we’ve got days and days still to enjoy! Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Ange Grunsell, Book Festival, Books, Creative writing, Emma van Woerkom, fiction, Hay Festival, Hay Festival 2025, Hay Festival Anytime, Hay Writers Live, Hay Writers., Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Hilary Alcock, Jean O'Donoghue, literature Wales, Margaret Blake, Mark Bayliss, Martine Smith, Nick Thomas, Sam Ashton, short story, writing, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment

Competition, Poems and Hay Festival 2025.

Posted on April 15, 2025 by thehaywriters

While we await a few confirmations before announcing the winners of our recent Fiction Competition, there’s still time to enter our 2025 Poetry Competition. The judge this year is a talented Gareth Writer-Davies and the closing date for poems up to 40 lines long on any theme is midnight, Tuesday 22nd April. Anyone can submit poems and we look forward to reading your exciting creations… Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Books, Creative writing, Emma van Woerkom, fiction, Gareth Writer-Davies, Hay Festival, Hay Writers., Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Jean O'Donoghue, literature, Nature Poetry, poems, Poet, poetry, Poetry Competition, writing, writing competition, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment

Jo Jones Remembered

Posted on January 20, 2025 by thehaywriters

Jo Jones Remembered By The Writers’ Circle.

We recently learned of the passing of former HWC Secretary – Jo Jones.
Jo Jones was a member of the Writers Circle in Hay for many years, between 2014-2017 she was the group’s Secretary. She was much valued by all the members of the Circle.

She had been a warden of a mountainside hostel in an earlier incarnation. We rated her as tough and fearless, whilst always seeing the funny side of things, compassionately… Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Ange Grunsell, Anthology, Books, Creative writing, fiction, Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Jean O'Donoghue, Jo Jones, literature, Local News, memorial, news, obituary, short stories, short story, writing, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment

The 2024 Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction – Winner and Runner Up Entries

Posted on September 30, 2024 by thehaywriters

We are delighted to showcase the top two entrees as well as the judge’s comments of our most recent competition, The Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction 2024…. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Books, Creative writing, Dr Alwyn Marriage, fiction, Hay Festival, Hay Festival Winter Weekend, Hay Writers., Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Jean O'Donoghue, literature, literature Wales, non fiction, poetry, Richard Booth, Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction, Val Ormrod, winter festival, Winter Weekend, writing, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment

Winner of the 2024 Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction Announced!

Posted on September 23, 2024 by thehaywriters

The rain may be lashing and the thunder rolling, but we are back at the beginning of another exciting writing year.

We are going to kick off our 45th year with announcing the results of our annual non-fiction competition…. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Ange Grunsell, Competition results, Creative writing, Dr Alwyn Marriage, Hay Writers., Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Jean O'Donoghue, literature, literature Wales, Margaret Blake, non fiction, non fiction competition, Prize Winners, Richard Booth, Richard Booth King of Hay, Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction, Val Ormrod, writing, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment

Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction and Seasonal Changes

Posted on September 14, 2022 by thehaywriters

We are delighted to announce the results of our annual non-fiction competition. This popular competition again received a good number of entries from both inside and outside Hay Writers’ Circle and we very much welcome external interest in all our … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Creative writing, Gilly Smith, Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Jean O'Donoghue, Katharine Stones, Lily Rose King, literature, literature Wales, Michael Eisele, Michelle Pearce, non fiction, non fiction competition, Richard Booth, Richard Booth King of Hay, Richard Booth Prize for Non Fiction, writing, writing competition, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment

Prize Winning Poets and Poems – 2022 Poetry Competition Report

Posted on July 6, 2022 by thehaywriters

We are delighted to showcase the winning poets and poems of our 2022 Poetry Competition. Huge congratulations to 1st Prize – Michelle Pearce, 2nd Prize – Jean O’Donoghue and 3rd Prize – Jaz Slade. 1st Place Poem, on reading ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Creative writing, Dr Jack McGowan, Hay Poetry Cup, Hay Writers Circle, Hay-on-Wye, hayonwye, Helen Smith, Jaz Slade, Jean O'Donoghue, literature Wales, Mark Bayliss, Michelle Pearce, poem, poetry, Poetry Competition, Prize winning poem, Winning Poems, writing, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment

Winners Announced for the Hay Poetry Competition 2022

Posted on June 21, 2022 by thehaywriters

Hot Off The Press! The winners of the Hay Writers’ Circle Poetry Competition 2022 are as follows : 1st Prize – Michelle Pearce 2nd Prize – Jean O’Donoghue 3rd Prize – Jaz Slade Congratulations to our winners and to everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Creative writing, Dr Jack McGowan, Hay Poetry Prize, Hay Writers Circle, Hay-on-Wye, Jaz Slade, Jean O'Donoghue, literature, Michelle Pearce, poetry, Poetry Competition, Poetry Prize, writing | Leave a comment

Jean Hare – Winner of the 2021 Frances Copping Memorial Prize for Fiction

Posted on January 2, 2022 by thehaywriters

We are excited to announce the results of our 2021 Frances Copping Memorial Prize for Fiction Competition, named in fond remembrance of our Lifetime President who sadly passed away in 2020. This popular competition again received a good number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Carly Holmes, Creative writing, Frances Copping Memorial Prize for Fiction, Hay Festival, Hay Writers., Hay-on-Wye, Jean O'Donoghue, Kerry Hodges, literature, literature Wales, Parthian Books, Shane Anderson, writing, writing competition, Writing Groups. | Leave a comment