A coming-of-age story on friendship, sex and drugs, and an author documenting his journey along Sarn Helen, an old Roman road connecting north and south Wales, are among those on the English language shortlist of the Wales Book of the Year 2024.
The Welsh language shortlist includes a dark, fantasy novel and a collection of poems about the Llŷn Peninsula.
The shortlist consists of 24 books – 12 in each language, and three each in poetry, fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature.
The winners will be announced at an event in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, on 4 July, with award winners receiving £1,000 each, while the overall winner in both languages will receive an additional £3,000.
The English language panel includes author and chair of writers’ group PEN Cymru Dylan Moore, author and fellow of the Royal Society of Literature Patrice Lawrence, and novelist and playwright Rachel Trezise.
Speaking on behalf of the panel, Moore said: “From valleys villages to the mean streets of Canada and fantastical worlds, these books demonstrate the breadth of writing in, of, from and about Wales today.
“Their authors spin worlds out of words, challenging orthodoxies, and inspiring imagination, hope and courage,” he said.
This year’s Welsh language panel includes producer, director, and writer Nici Beech, actor, director and writer Hanna Jarman, poet Tudur Dylan Jones, and author and senior lecturer at Cardiff University’s School of Welsh, Rhiannon Marks.
The award has been run by Literature Wales since 2004.
“What a feast the shortlists selected by this year’s judges present – 24 books by experienced and new writers, each presenting a different aspect on Welsh literature,” said Leusa Llewelyn, artistic director of Literature Wales.
English language
Poetry Award
I Think We’re Alone Now, Abigail Parry (Bloodaxe Books); Cowboy, Kandace Siobhan Walker (Cheerio Publishing); In Orbit, Glyn Edwards (Seren)
Creative Non-Fiction Award
Sarn Helen, Tom Bullough (Granta Publications); Birdsplaining: A Natural History, Jasmine Donahaye (New Welsh Rarebyte); Spring Rain, Marc Hamer (Harvill Secker)
The Rhys Davies Trust Fiction Award
Stray Dogs, Richard John Parfitt (Third Man Books); The Unbroken Beauty of Rosalind Bone, Alex McCarthy (Doubleday); Neon Roses, Rachel Dawson (John Murray)
The Bute Energy Children and Young People Award
Where the River Takes Us, Lesley Parr (Bloomsbury Children’s Books); Brilliant Black British History, Atinuke (Bloomsbury Children’s Books); Skrimsli, Nicola Davies (Firefly Press)
Welsh language
Poetry Award
Mae Bywyd Yma, Guto Dafydd (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch); Mymryn Rhyddid, Gruffudd Owen (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas); Y Traeth o Dan y Stryd, Hywel Griffiths (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
Creative Non-Fiction
Cranogwen, Jane Aaron (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru); Y Delyn Aur, Malachy Owain Edwards (Gwasg y Bwthyn); Trothwy, Iwan Rhys (Y Lolfa)
Fiction Award
Anfadwaith, Llŷr Titus (Y Lolfa); Sut i Ddofi Corryn, Mari George (Sebra); Raffl, Aled Jones Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
The Bute Energy Children and Young People Award
Jac a’r Angel, Daf James (Y Lolfa); Y Nendyrau, Seran Dolma (Gwasg y Bwthyn); Astronot yn yr Atig, Megan Angharad Hunter (Y Lolfa)