We never thought giving away 48 books would be so tiring but also so much fun.
Lots of new people to the house and perhaps lots of new book readers – Dylan would have been proud!
Dylan aids World Book Night novel giveaway
40,000 copies of the book have been printed especially for World Book Night
The World Book Night comes to the birthplace of Dylan Thomas at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Uplands, Swansea on Saturday (5th March 2.00 – 8.00 pm) with 48 copies of the award winning novel Fingersmith by Welsh author Sarah Waters to be given away.
Anne Haden from Dylan Thomas House has organised the event and says “These are brand new books printed specially for World Book Night and we’re looking to give the books away to those who might not normally be able to get out and buy a book”.
“The books are absolutely free and part of the giveaway of one million books to encourage people to read and I chose Fingersmith as I read it when it was first published and enjoyed its great storyline and craftsmanship.
“This is a great opportunity as we all know someone who can’t get out easily, whose local library has closed or who can’t afford to buy a book.
“Nominating a person with us means they can come to the birthplace of Dylan Thomas, meet other people, receive their book and become one in a million.
“Maybe there is someone who hasn’t read a book for a while and this will rekindle their interest.
“We’re planning a follow up event in a month when we hope they will all come along, exchange their views and perhaps some of their favourite books.”
Anne Haden says that she thinks Dylan would have approved of the event “Dylan would have loved this – having a contemporary book for free and passing it on to others.”
The book is set in 19th century England and is the story of two orphans from very different backgrounds and was adapted for television by the Cardiff born writer Andrew Davies who is currently enjoying the limelight with his adaptation of South Riding. Andrew Davies also has a Dylan Thomas connection as he is on the judging panel of the Dylan Thomas Prize.
Because of the likely demand the books are available for collection on a first come, first served basis and need to be reserved by phone or email before the event.
Anne Haden 01792 472555 or info@5cwmdonkindrive.com
Poetry courses to follow in Dylan’s footsteps
A new weekly poetry and writing course based at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive – the birthplace and home of Dylan Thomas – aims to encourage new and aspiring writers to express themselves through their work.
The course “Poetry – to begin at the beginning” is the first in a series of ten week long courses being run by Anne and Geoff Haden of Dylan Thomas House in conjunction with the poet and writer Peter Thabit Jones who is an acknowledged expert on the work of Dylan Thomas and has lectured and taught all over the world.
The courses start on Thursday 23rd September (10.00am to 12.00) and for the first five participants to enrol there is a discounted course fee of £35 instead of the normal £75.
Says Mr Thabit Jones, “Many people want to write and don’t know where to start, so the aim of the course is to explore some aspects of writing and poetry and to help participants develop their own style.
“We want the course to be at the level of the participants who will be encouraged to develop their own work and to explore their own creativity.
“Not only will the course allow people to write in the house where Dylan produced over two thirds of his published output but we will also explore the local area including Cwmdonkin Park and the Uplands for further inspiration.”
Mr Jones is the founder of the international poetry magazine The Seventh Quarry and has recently completed the narration of a DVD Dylan Thomas Walking Tour of Greenwich Village, which he produced in collaboration with the late Aeronwy Thomas – Dylan’s daughter – on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government in New York.
Anne Haden says “I’m really excited that Peter has agreed to run these courses as I know that there is a demand in Swansea from both the aspiring and the more experienced poets and writers.
“Poetry was once the province of the elite but Dylan showed that an ordinary guy can produce great work and, although we can’t bring Dylan back, we can create some of the environment that helped him be so prolific in his early years”.
“Later in the year we will be announcing a series of weekend courses in a number of different creative arts.
Peter Thabit Jones 01792 774070 or info@peterthabitjones.com
Anne Haden 01792 472555 or info@5cwmdonkindrive.com
Peter Thabit Jones leads a discussion at a poetry reading with members of The Seventh Quarry magazine
£5,000 Sony eReader Prize adds to Dylan Thomas Prize
The University of Wales Dylan Tghomas Prize has a new cateory with Sony’s £5,000 ($7,500) eReader Prize which is for an unpublished work by an author under 30. All entries have to be in ebook format and, for this year, only UK authors are eligible. If it is a success then it will be extended globally.
Cerys Matthews – the singer who rose to fame as the lead singer in Catatonia -has agreed to be one of the judges. She recorded part of the BBC2 programme My Life in Verse at Number 5
Check for further details on Dylan Thomas Prize website but hurry – entries close at the end of August
Two festivals, two languages, worlds apart
Last week was the start of the festival season in and around Wales and I could not have witnessed two more diverse events only 50 miles or so apart.
Remember that I’m writing this in the knowledge that, although Dylan spoke only English, (more…)
Bob Zimmerman, Dylan and John Lennon – what’s in a name?
Oh dear – I’ve just offended an American!
I stumbled across a blog called the Ten Minute Ramble with some videos of Bob Dylan and just pointed out that he took his name from our own Dylan.
If I did! (more…)
Which way would Dylan have voted?
Dylan had a youthful interest in left wing politics and attended a rally at the old Plaza Cinema (what a place – huge! I remember watching Gandhi – the film! – there in a packed cinema) with his communist grocer friend Bert Trick (strangely our next door neighbour at Number 5 is called Robert Trick although I’m pretty sure that he is not a communist!). The story is that they got ejected.
I don’t know what Dylan would have made of modern elections but I’m sure he would have plenty of comments about candidates strutting their stuff over the past four weeks.
Next big children’s author from Swansea
I came across an hilarious book today – Gastronimus and the Legend of Mr Grrrumblebum (3 x Rs!) and also learned that the author Charlie Duncan was brought up in Swansea not two miles from Number 5.
Charlie’s story is aimed at eight to eleven year olds which is great because it brought out the kid in me. (more…)
Under 30? Written any published work? Want £30,000?
CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR £30,000 DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE
The world’s biggest literary prize for young writers
Entries are invited each year for the world’s biggest literary award for young writers – the £30,000 ($45,000) Dylan Thomas Prize – which will be awarded for the best published work in the English language by an author under the age of 30 from any country in the world.
Dylan Thomas and James Joyce now closer again
Dawn over Swansea Bay and the Swansea Cork ferry waits at Mumbles Head to dock
Yesterday’s early morning sight of the Swansea Cork ferry looming out of the mist off Mumbles Head got me thinking about our Irtish literary links.
The new service is in operation for the first time in three years and its appearance reminded me of Dylan’s admiration of James Joyce and Brendan Behan. (more…)
Dylan Thomas Birthplace / Family Home 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea, Wales, UK 