Books by Atinuke and Alex McCarthy shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year

Atinuke’s Brilliant Black British History (Bloomsbury Children’s Books) and Alex McCarthy’s The Unbroken Beauty of Rosalind Bone (Doubleday) are among the titles shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year 2024. 

The English-language shortlist was revealed by judge Dylan Moore on the Lynn Bowles show on BBC Radio Wales, and the Welsh-language shortlist by the Welsh judging panel on Ffion Dafis’ BBC Radio Cymru show. The judges and presenters were joined by Leusa Llewelyn and Claire Furlong for the announcements, the artistic and executive directors of Literature Wales, which runs Wales Book of the Year.

The award celebrates Welsh writers who excel in a variety of literary forms in both Welsh and English. It comprises four categories in both languages, including Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, and Children and Young People. One of the category winners will go on to win the overall award and claim the title of Wales Book of the Year. 

In the running for the Poetry Award in the English language category, sponsored by Cardiff University’s School of English, Communication and Philosophy, are Abigail Parry’s I Think We’re Alone Now (Bloodaxe Books), Kandace Siobhan Walker’s Cowboy (Cheerio Publishing) and Glyn Edwards’ In Orbit (Seren). The Welsh-language shortlist features Mae Bywyd Yma by Guto Dafydd (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch), Mymryn Rhyddid by Gruffudd Owen (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas) and Y Traeth o Dan y Stryd by Hywel Griffiths (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas).

Shortlisted for Creative Non-Fiction in the English language category are Sarn Helen by Tom Bullough (Granta Publications), Birdsplaining: A Natural History by Jasmine Donahaye (New Welsh Rarebyte) and Marc Hamer’s Spring Rain (Harvill Secker). The Welsh-language shortlist sees Cranogwen by Jane Aaron (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru) vying for the prize, alongside Y Delyn Aur by Malachy Owain Edwards (Gwasg y Bwthyn) and Trothwy by Iwan Rhys (Y Lolfa).

Moreover, vying for The Rhys Davies Trust Fiction Award in the English language category are Richard John Parfitt’s Stray Dogs (Third Man Books) and Alex McCarthy’s The Unbroken Beauty of Rosalind Bone (Doubleday), alongside Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson (John Murray). The Welsh-language Fiction shortlist features Anfadwaith by Llŷr Titus (Y Lolfa), Sut i Ddofi Corryn by Mari George (Sebra) and Raffl by Aled Jones Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch).

Finally, the shortlist for the Bute Energy Children and Young People Award features Where the River Takes Us by Lesley Parr (Bloomsbury Children’s Books), Brilliant Black British History by Atinuke (Bloomsbury Children’s Books), and Skrimsli by Nicola Davies (Firefly Press). In the Welsh-language shortlist, Jac a’r Angel by Daf James (Y Lolfa) is featured alongside Y Nendyrau by Seran Dolma (Gwasg y Bwthyn) and Astronot yn yr Atig by Megan Angharad Hunter (Y Lolfa).

Moore said: "From villages in the valleys 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."

The People’s Choice Award and Barn y Bobl polls are also now open for votes, giving readers the opportunity to have their say.

The winners of Wales Book of the Year will be announced at an ceremony in Galeri Caernarfon on Thursday 4th July. Twelve awards and a total of £14,000 in prizes will be shared amongst the writers — £1,000 each for the category winners and an additional £3,000 for the overall winner in both languages. In addition, each winner will receive a Book of the Year trophy, designed by the artist Angharad Pearce Jones.