The world’s largest literary prize for young writers.
Launched in 2006, the annual Dylan Thomas Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for young writers in the world. It is an international literary award aimed at encouraging raw creative talent worldwide.
Established in response to the enormous international phenomenon of new writing by young authors, 'The Prize' recognises the obvious ambitions of those writers as reflected in the marked popularity of creative writing classes.
The £30,000 University of Wales Dylan Thomas Prize is awarded to the best published or produced literary work in the English language, written by an author under 30. The 2011 University of Wales Dylan Thomas Prize for published young writers is now closed to entries.
Three first-time novelists, including this year's Orange Prize for Fiction winner, are included on the shortlist for the 2011 Dylan Thomas Prize. In all, five writers are in the running for the prize.
The first time writers are Yorkshire-based Annabel Pitcher, New York-based Benjamin Hale and Belgrade-born and New York-based Tea Obreht who was awarded this year's Orange Prize for Fiction. With them on the shortlist are Canadian poet, blogger and literary critic, Jacob McArthur Mooney and Belfast-born and London-based Lucy Caldwell whose novel Where They Were Missed was previously shortlisted for the prize in 2006.
The winner will be announced at the final awards ceremony in Swansea on November 9th, 2011.
The Dylan Thomas Prize Shortlist 2011
- The Meeting Point by Lucy Caldwell, Faber
- The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore by Benjamin Hale, Atlantic Books
- Folk by Jacob McArthur Mooney, McClelland & Stewart
- The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht, Orion
- My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher, Orion
READ: Dylan Thomas Prize 2011 shortlist is announced
Past winners
- In 2006, the first Dylan Thomas prize was won by Wales' own Rachel Trezise for her collection of short stories, 'Fresh apples'.
- In 2008, Vietnamese writer Nam Le, a resident of Australia, won for his short story collection ‘The Boat’.
- In 2010, American poet Elyse Fenton won the prize with her war-inspired 'Clamor'.
READ: Last Dylan Thomas Prize winner Elyse Fenton on how it changed her life…
Dylan ED
The Prize works with local authorities, the University of Wales, sponsors and broadcasters through its DylanED Programme, which was established to ensure that young writers and students throughout Wales see the Dylan Thomas Prize as something of which they are a part. Over the course of the Prize the nominated writers visit universities, schools and colleges, throughout the United Kingdom, with the aim of stimulating an appreciation of literature amongst young people and encouraging them to develop their own creative writing skills. The Dylan Thomas Prize has been granted charitable status largely due to its extensive work with educational institutions.
Finding Dylan / Dilyn Dylan
The Dylan Thomas Prize is running a new writing competition in association with the City and County of Swansea. The winner will be rewarded with a trip to Disneyland in Paris, provided by Swansea firm Travel House. 'Finding Dylan / Dilyn Dylan' is a chance for Year 6 pupils to follow in the footsteps of Dylan Thomas by bringing their world to life. Entrants are invited to write engagingly about one of four topics; My Swansea, My Wales, My Team or My Summer. The entry may take the form of an essay, story, poem or diary entry. As so much of Dylan’s work involves a nostalgic look back at childhood, there is a particular relevance to a competition for this age group, which will also raise awareness of the all-important topic of literacy in Swansea schools and get children freely expressing their creative ideas.
The Prize Board
- Professor Peter Stead, Chairman
- Geoff Haden, Director
- Jeannette McLellan, Director
- Michael Williams, Company Secretary
The Ambassadors
The Ambassadors to the University of Wales Dylan Thomas Prize lend not only their names, but most importantly their time, talents, and energy to the Prize.
The Ambassadors are:
Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Sheen, Lord Rowe-Beddoe of Kilgetty, The Rt. Hon Lord Anderson of Swansea, The Rt. Hon Lord Neil Kinnock, Jeff Towns, Rhod Gilbert.
