Firefly Press scoops 'pioneering' multi-authored Welsh novel

Firefly Press has scooped The Five, originally published in Welsh language as Y Pump, a multi-authored novel translated by one of the original authors Mared Roberts and an introduction from Carnegie Medal winner Manon Steffan Ros.

Publisher Penny Thomas acquired world English rights from Garmon Gruffudd at Welsh language publisher Y Lolfa. The novel is slated for publication in 2025.

Writer Elgan Rhys initiated the original project, pairing "up-and-coming" authors with debut authors who had experienced of the subject matter. Y Pump won the Wales Book of the Year in 2022 in Children and Young People and Barn y Bobl categories alongside the Tir na n-Og 2022 Welsh Language Secondary Category. The Five follows a friendship between five different teenagers, Tim, Tami, Aniq, Robyn and Cat, who are thrown together at school in north-west Wales.

Tim is written by Rhys with Tomos Jones; Tami is written by Roberts with Ceri-Anne Gatehouse; Aniq is written by Marged Elen Willian with Mahum Umer; Robyn is written by Iestyn Tyne with Leo Drayton and Cat is written by Megan Angharad Hunter with Maisie Awen.

"Both embracing and subverting conventional coming-of-age narratives, The Five is a distinctive and relatable depiction of young adult life in Wales today," wrote the publisher.   

Thomas commented: "We were mpressed by the radical authorship process, and enthusiasm behind The Five and we’re very pleased we will be able to bring this novel to an English-speaking readership."

Rhys added: "Our joyous collaboration on the original series was an untested way of working, and it’s been humbling to see it be embraced by readers and the industry.

"I’m certain Mared’s adaptation will continue to inspire young people, particularly those who might not be used to seeing their experiences authentically portrayed."