School of Welsh celebrating success with Book of the Year Award nominations for staff and alumni
13 May 2015
Cardiff University's School of Welsh is celebrating staff and alumni nominations in the 2015 Book of the Year Award.
It has been announced that Dr Llŷr Gwyn Lewis, a lecturer and former student in the School, has been nominated in two categories. His work, Storm ar Wyneb yr Haul and Rhyw Flodau Rhyfel, appear on the Poetry and Creative Factual shortlists respectively.
In addition to Llŷr's nominations, Rhys Iorwerth, a School alumnus, also earned a spot on the shortlists. He will go up against Llŷr in the Poetry category with his collection Un Stribedyn Bach.
Llŷr will attend the awards ceremony in Caernarvon on Thursday 4th June, after returning from Germany where he will participate in the European Festival of the First Novel. During his time at the festival, Llŷr will discuss his work with publishers and authors and hold public readings.
Commenting on his success, Llŷr said: "It was astounding to see both Storm ar Wyneb yr Haul and Rhyw Flodau Rhyfel on the shortlists for the Book of the Year Award. I'm incredibly grateful that my work has been recognised this way, it's a tremendous honour. I look forward to the awards ceremony next month as an opportunity to celebrate the diversity within our literature and to share the experience with friends, family and the other nominees."
Professor Sioned Davies, Head of the School of Welsh, added: "There was much excitement in the School when the shortlists were announced, but I'm not surprised to see Llŷr's excellent work recognised. We congratulate Llŷr and Rhys Iorwerth on their nominations for this prestigious prize and wish them every success at the awards ceremony to come."
The 2015 Book of the Year Award will be presented to the best literary works published in 2014, in Welsh and English, and in three categories: Poetry, Fiction and Creative Factual.
Each category winner will receive a prize of £2,000, and the two main winners in each language will receive an additional £6,000. The Award is administered by Literature Wales.