Tag Archives: literature Wales

New Writing Sessions in Hay-on-Wye Library and a Highly Commended Competition Piece.

Write on! We begin this instalment with some exciting news. Starting Friday 25th September, between 2pm – 4pm, new and free, Write On! sessions are set to begin in Hay-on-Wye Library. Whether you write for pleasure, publication, enjoy journalling, or … Continue reading

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Hay Festival 2026, Holly Müller Writing Workshop Reminder, The Richard Booth Prize for Non-Fiction Competition, and Illustrator Opportunity!

The sun certainly shone brightly on Hay Festival 2026 and glorious amounts of book fiends descended to on our border town to fill their bibliographical hearts full of wonder, delight, and books, books, books! This year book sales were up and so was festival attendance too. This all bodes well for next year as the festival celebrates it’s 40th year. … Continue reading

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2026 Poetry Competition – Winner Announced!

We are thrilled to announce the results of the Hay Writers’ Circle Poetry Competition, 2026.

This every popular competition received a good number of entries from both inside and outside Hay Writers’ Circle and we very much welcome all external interest in our writing competitions.

We must firstly take a moment to thank our amazing 2026 Poetry Judge, Lesley Saunders, who has read all the entrees and whittled them down to our ultimate set of prize winning poems… Continue reading

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Short Stories from Catherine Smedley and Hilary Alcock, plus Poetry Workshop Reminder, and HWC Archive news

We swing into this latest article with the 2nd and 3rd placed winners as judged by Holly Müller from our recent Frances Copping Memorial Prize for Fiction Competition 2026. Continue reading

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Workshops, Poetry Competition, and our latest Fiction Competition Winner!

Over the next few months we have two exciting writing workshops which anyone can attend (pre-booking essential)… Continue reading

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All The World’s A Stage – “Pyramus and Thisby”, adapted for children by HWC Alumni, Alan Oberman

Hay Writers’ Circle Alumni, Alan Oberman, has enjoyed much success with his fine children’s Shakespearean adaptation, Prince Hal and his friend Falstaff. Aimed at Key Stage 3 pupils, this illustrated book is a superb gateway to Shakespeare for younger readers, and the publication comes with 2 CD’s of narration and music. “A real treat”, wrote Sir Richard Eyre.

The book can be purchased direct from Alan – please email : alan.oberman@gmail.com
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Hay Festival Winter Weekend, a Brief Book Review and Competition Reminder

The wonderful Hay-on-Wye Christmas Lights have been switch on and the whole of the town is illuminated with the bright lights of literature, imagination and ideas.

We’ve enjoyed animated discussions, art, storytelling, comedy, music, family workshops, seasonal markets, the splendid Hay Castle and of course, many many bookshops. We’ve queued in the cold, in the darkness, but always warmed by tales from our fellow adventuring companions, many of whom have travelled from afar just for a taste of our home town of Hay. We hope they all had the best time and look forward to seeing them again very soon… Continue reading

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2025 Fiction Competition Now OPEN, Poetry Workshop Report, The One That Didn’t Get Away, and Hay Festival Winter Weekend coming soon!

Submissions are now invited for our annual Fiction Competition, The Frances Copping Memorial Prize 2025, named in fond remembrance of our Lifetime President who sadly passed away in 2020.

The competition is open to everyone, members of Hay Writers’ Circle and non-members too. Pieces of 500-1500 words on any fiction theme are accepted. Closing date for entries is Tuesday 6th January 2026. Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place… Continue reading

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HWC AGM: Committee Voted In & Members Leaving Us, Plus Richard Booth Prize 2025 – 3rd Place Winner.

HWC AGM 2025

How quickly our writing year is up and running again! Our Annual General Meeting enjoyed not only many positive reports from it’s Committee, but also a number of exciting plans and adaptations for the coming year ahead. All thanks to everyone who brainstormed ideas during our summer blue-sky-meeting.

We are delighted that the following Committee Members have been re-appointed. Continue reading

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Workshop Report: Breaking The Rules Of Fiction, and Non Fiction Competition Open To All

Breaking the rules of fiction – a workshop with Alan Bilton

Article written by HWC Chair, Corinne Harris.
Photos by Ange Grunsell

On Tuesday 17th June, fifteen of us met in Clyro Village Hall for this workshop.  Alan started with a concise summary of the rules of fiction, and of the expectations readers have of work in a particular genre.  He then, with a series of interactive exercises, encouraged us to break the rules he had just outlined… Continue reading

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