Wales Book of the Year
News
Bath Spa graduate wins prestigious national book award
Monday, 14 August, 2023Bath Spa MA Writing for Young People graduate Lesley P
arr has won the Wales Book of the Year Children and Young People Award for her novel, When the War Came Home.
The Wales Book of the Year Award is an annual prize hosted by Literature Wales to celebrate literary talent from Wales across many genres, in both English and Welsh. Prizes are awarded across four categories in each language: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction and Children and Young People.
“I’m totally over the moon that When the War Came Home is Wales Children’s Book of the Year,” Lesley said. “To receive an accolade at this level – and from my own country – feels like validation as well as reward. It was a very difficult book to write, for many reasons, but all feels worth it now!”
In addition to the satisfaction of winning such a prestigious award, Lesley took home a prize of £1,000 and a trophy designed by artist and blacksmith Angharad Pearce Jones.
The Wales Book of the Year Award plays an essential part in Literature Wales’ programme of activity, celebrating and representing Wales’ writers, heritage and rich literary culture, and offers an invaluable platform to both emerging and established writers.
Lesley credits the MA Writing for Young People course for helping her get where she is today. Talking about the course, Lesley said:
“So many things [influenced me]! The opportunity to experiment and take risks in a safe and nurturing environment led me to understand the type of writer I am. I created connections which led to finding my agent, and I’ve made friends for life. It will always be one of the best things I have ever done – the 300+ mile round trip was worth every mile every time.”
Read more about Lesley and her work on her website.
Image credit: Ben Turner