News Archive

Academi Writers Bursaries

Twenty–three writers, of whom seven are unpublished, have been awarded a total of £100,000 in writing bursaries by Academi. A writing bursary gives published and unpublished writers the time to write.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 2007 new Welsh fiction is boosted as Pontypridd based Patrick Corcoran, author of Cecil and Noreen, is awarded a bursary to write his third novel. Novelist and short story writer Tessa Hadley is awarded a bursary to buy time from lecturing to concentrate on writing her new novel Two Sisters. Francesca Rhydderch, editor of New Welsh Review, will take a break to concentrate on writing her first novel Jubilee, set in the late seventies of the last century. Poet, novelist, short story writer and critic Matthew Francis will take time out from lecturing to concentrate on writing a historical novel. Aberaeron author Cynan Jones’ new novel, set in the near future, will portray a man falling apart under the pressure of city life. Swansea author Rhys Hughes will complete his novel The Clown of the New Eternities.

Poet, editor and literary critic Grahame Davies will research and write The Dragon and the Crescent - Wales and the Muslims. This book will study the interaction of Welsh and Islamic cultures over the centuries, drawing on literary sources. Mike Parker, author of The Rough Guide to Wales and the recently published Neighbours from Hell? – English attitudes to the Welsh, will write about his love for maps in Map Addict. Poet Sheenagh Pugh’s bursary will allow her to revisit Norway to complete a long poem sequence which depends on seeing the same places in winter light.

Emerging Welsh writers Belinda Bauer, Romyanna K Thomas, Kate O’ Reilly, Alexandra Claire, Tim Casson and Sian Melangell Dafydd have been awarded New Writers’ bursaries.

Among the Welsh-language recipients are Christine James, winner of the National Eisteddfod Crown in 2005, Chaired poets Tudur Dylan Jones and T. James Jones.

Peter Finch, Chief Executive of Academi said “This is a definite step towards professionalising authorship in Wales.”

Gwen Davies, Chair of the Academi Bursaries Panel commented: "The balance this year is well judged between offering relief to established published writers juggling commitments, and boosting the confidence and profile of emerging writers. These distinct jobs are only two of the important functions the Writers Bursaries perform."

Academi Bursaries Panel 2006-07:
Gwen Davies (Chair),  Catherine Fisher, Kathryn Gray, Amanda Hopkinson, Idris Reynolds.

Writers’ Bursaries are awarded annually by the Academi. Click here for more information on Academi Bursaries.

The closing date for 2008 bursaries will be in autumn 2007 (exact date to be confirmed). The new application forms will be available during summer 2007.