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PRESS RELEASE
7 March 2007

 Academi Backs the Future of Literature

Twenty three writers, of whom seven are unpublished, have been awarded a total of £100,000 in writing bursaries by Academi, the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency. A writing bursary gives published and unpublished writers the time to write.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 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 professionalizing 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."

Notes to editors:

Academi
• Yr Academi Gymreig is the Welsh National Literature Development Agency and Society for Authors. It was established in 1959, following discussions between Bobi Jones and Waldo Williams.
• In 1998 the Society’s role increased greatly when it won the Arts Council of Wales franchise to become Wales’ National Literature Promotion Agency.
• The Academi works in partnership with Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in Llanystumdwy. The Academi works with the support of the Arts Council of Wales.
• The Academi is responsible for organising the Book of the Year award, literary events (conferences, dinners, poetry tours, lectures), writers’ bursaries, Writing Squads, various support schemes.
• The Academi has joined the Urdd, Welsh National Opera and other organisations as a resident of the Wales Millennium Centre.

Bursaries
Writers’ Bursaries are awarded annually by the Academi and full details are available at www.academi.org.

A full list of all bursary recipients is attached. Academi will be pleased to supply further biographical details for journalists wishing to run features on writers who may be of particular interest to their readers.

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

Academi
Mount Stuart House,  Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10 5FQ.
Chief Executive: Peter Finch
phone: 029 2047 2266  fax: 029 2049 2930
www.academi.org    post@academi.org

Academi is supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
 Academi works in partnership with the Tŷ Newydd Centre for Writers.
Registered charity number 50640
 

Academi Writers’ Bursaries 2007

Grahame Davies  
Belinda Bauer   
Mark Jenkins   
Romyanna K Thomas  
Ivy Alvarez   
Sheenagh Pugh 
Kate O’Reilly   
T James Jones   
Mike Parker 
Cynan Jones   
Alexandra Claire
Matthew Francis  
Tom Anderson  
Francesca Rhydderch  
Tim Casson   
Christine James  
Patrick Corcoran  
Tessa Hadley   
Angharad Tomos  
Tudur Dylan Jones  
Sian Melangell Dafydd 
Michael Harvey  
Rhys Hughes     

Academi
Mount Stuart House,  Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff CF10 5FQ.
Chief Executive: Peter Finch
phone: 029 2047 2266  fax: 029 2049 2930
www.academi.org    post@academi.org

Academi is supported by the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
Academi works in partnership with the Tŷ Newydd Centre for Writers.
Registered charity number 506402