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Academi Writers’ Bursaries 2005 Press Release

Academi pennies stretch further than ever

Twenty six writers, ten of whom are unpublished, have been awarded a total of £103,000.

Eric Ngalle Charles, from the Cameroon, has been awarded a Writers’ Bursary by Academi, The Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and now has the chance to write the story of his epic journey from Africa to Wales via Russia.  Another exciting travel–writing project will bear fruit as Gareth Pawan, a psychiatric social worker from Neath, receives a bursary to research his book Wales to the West Indies, and up-and-coming young poet Zoë Brigley receives an Academi bursary to travel to Mexico to complete her first collection of poetry.

Full-time mum Lynda Nash will see her dreams come true as she receives a bursary to pay for childcare – freeing up time to complete her novel which she hopes to see published this year.

As well as supporting new talent, Academi bursaries have been awarded to many established figures in the literary world. Renowned cultural commentator and art critic Peter Lord will receive a bursary to write the extraordinary biography of Winifred Coombe Tennant – a patron of young Welsh painters, an active suffragette and psychic medium.

New Welsh fiction has also been boosted with Sean Burke author of Deadwater and Lloyd Jones author of the recently highly acclaimed Mr Vogel who will receive bursaries to work on their much anticipated next novels.

One of the Welsh language recipients is the crowned poet from last year’s Eisteddfod, Jason Walford Davies. He will work on completing his first collection of poetry which takes its inspiration from ancient monuments across Britain and Ireland.

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

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

For further information, contact:
Academi,
Chief Executive Peter Finch, Mount Stuart House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, CF10 5FQ
tel: 029 2047 2266   fax 029 2049 2930
e-mail: post@academi.org  website: www.academi.org
2005 Academi Writers’ Bursary Recipients

Lloyd Jones 
Lynda Nash 
Tôpher Mills
Paul Henry 
Aled Jones Williams 
Sean Burke
Eric Ngalle Charles 
Keri Finlayson 
Tony Bianchi
Penny Simpson 
James Rourke 
Deborah Kay Davies
Catrin Dafydd 
Sian Owen 
Jason Walford Davies
Anne Cluysenaar 
Kay Byrne 
Dyfrig Jones
Zoe Skoulding 
Charlotte Greig 
Meredith Knight
Zoe Brigley 
Peter Lord 
Karen Owen
Philip Maillard 
Gareth Pawan

The Academi will be pleased to supply further biographical and career details for journalists wishing to run features on writers who may be of particular interest to their readers and listeners.

Notes to editors:

• Yr Academi Gymreig is the Welsh National Literature Development Agency and Society for Authors

• Yr Academi Gymreig 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 Tw 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.

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