Culture, and Sport Committee

Welsh Writing in English: A Review

March 2004

Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee

Rosemary Butler AM Chair

Alun Pugh AM Minister

Leighton Andrews AM

Lorraine Barrett AM

Eleanor Burnham AM

Lisa Francis AM

Denise Idris-Jones AM

Elin Jones AM

Laura Anne Jones AM

Owen John Thomas AM

Index

Page

Foreword 1

Priorities 3

Chapter 1 Welsh Writing in English - A Definition 5

Chapter 2 Support for Welsh Writing in English 9

• A multicultural 11 • New writing 12 • Classic works 19

Chapter 3 Marketing and Distribution 21

• Joint Marketing Strategy 24 • Bookshops 25 • Libraries 26 • Literary review 28 • Book awards 29 • Tourism 30

Chapter 4 Education 31

• Curricular and examination policy 33 • Further and Higher Education 35 • Network of Interlinked research centres for Welsh 36 Writing in English

Chapter 5 Summary of Recommendations 39

Chapter 6 Summary of Review 45

Chapter 7 Contributors to the Review 49

Foreword

This is the first report on a policy review from the Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee. I hope that it will give this important, but neglected, area of cultural life in Wales some positive exposure and lead to a revival of interest throughout Wales.

I am particularly keen that Welsh writing in English is studied as widely as possible in our education system, so that current and future generations of young people can be inspired by writers from their own country, both past and present.

Our recommendations range from supporting Wales’ publishing industry and new writers, to reviving classic works. A Library of Wales would be a fine testament to our heritage.

Wales must improve its marketing of Welsh writing in English. The Committee therefore fully endorses the principles and objectives of the Joint Marketing Strategy and hopes that this will lay the foundations for a stronger future for Welsh writing in English.

On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank all those who contributed to the review. The quality of the submissions was extremely high and thought provoking and enabled the Committee to understand the many and complex issues in the review. We must all now work to revive and maintain interest in this cornerstone of cultural life in Wales.

Rosemary Butler A.M Committee Chair

Priorities

• The National Assembly and other key players including the Education sector, the Welsh Books Council (WBC), the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), Academi, Ty Newydd, Sgript Cymru, the press and media, local authorities, booksellers and publishers, should be encouraged to emphasise the importance of Welsh writing in English in their policies and practices.

• Greater resources should be provided for marketing and raising awareness of Welsh writing in English. The Joint Marketing Strategy needs to be properly developed and costed.

• Grants along the lines of those provided for the Welsh language should be provided for Welsh writing in English.

• The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) remit should be extended to commissioning Welsh writing in English (including drama) for the Welsh curriculum.

• Further consideration should be given to the proposal for a Higher Education Network of interlinked research centres for Welsh writing in English.

• A "Library of Wales" of classic texts should be established.

• Library authorities should showcase Welsh books written in English to encourage readership and demand. They should also review their buying policies and collect data on Welsh writing in English.

• Booksellers should be encouraged to give more prominence to Welsh writing in English.

• The Book of the Year Awards in Wales should be enhanced and other awards introduced to recognise achievements and encourage excellence in publishing.

Chapter 1 Welsh Writing in English - A Definition

Welsh Writing in English - A Definition

1.1 The Committee believes that the definition of Welsh writing in English should be as inclusive as possible, although it is not proposed that all such writing should receive financial support. A number of contributors attempted to define what was meant by Welsh writing in English although most emphasised the importance of flexibility in any definition.

For the purposes of this review Welsh writing in English is defined as writing which encompass one, some, or all of the following criteria:

• all English-language writers in Wales;

• all material written in English by writers of Welsh birth and/or affiliation, irrespective of where they live at the time of writing and publishing; and

• material of Welsh interest i.e. that which relates to topics about Wales and Welsh life, or gives a taste of the country and/or its culture, written in English.

Chapter 2 Support for Welsh Writing in English

Support for Welsh Writing in English

In this Chapter we discuss the significance of Welsh writing in English to the culture of Wales. We examine support for new writing, and for classic works.

2.1 A multicultural Wales

2.1.1 Wales is a multicultural country, with two official languages. The contribution made by both languages to the culture of Wales is fundamental. Our inquiry has shown, however, that there is real concern about the recognition given to Welsh writing in English, the main language of the majority of people in Wales. High quality and diverse texts relevant to the people of Wales and written in English are essential if the life of Wales is to be fully reflected in the culture of Wales. The promotion of these texts is an important element in the development of Wales not only culturally but also socially and economically.

Distinctive literature

2.1.2 Welsh writing in English is as distinctive a form of literature as that produced by, for example, English, Irish and American writers. It is more likely to be understood by readers outside Wales and thus provide opportunities to familiarise people with the culture of Wales; it is also our interface with other literary cultures world wide.

2.1.3 Views were also expressed about the place of Welsh writing in English alongside that of writing in Welsh. It was suggested "if Wales is a country with two languages, it is a country with two literatures". As one of the , with its own historical and contemporary culture, provision needs to be made for cultural activity in English as the language of the majority in Wales, alongside that made for its counterpart in Welsh.

Translation

2.1.4 There were suggestions that the translation of Welsh language literature into English is essential if it is to reach an international audience. Another view was that there is a value in translating from Welsh into English so that people, proud of their heritage, but unable to speak the Welsh language, can appreciate the content. Translated works may also encourage readers to improve their Welsh to enable them to read books in the original language.

2.1.5 Given that the focus of the Committee’s inquiry was Welsh writing in English, not the translation of Welsh language writing into English, the Committee feels that whilst undoubtedly important, this is a separate issue.

Lack of awareness

2.1.6 It was felt that the culture of Wales, whilst as distinctive as that of the Welsh language, was under threat. One comment summed up the general view - "it is remarkable that literature so rich and so varied, so widely respected for its achievements, has received relatively little attention and support within Wales itself".

2.2 New writing

2.2.1 Principal support for new writing (except drama) comes from:

Academi which offers inter alia: critical support and mentoring between publisher and author; advice to writers on available markets; bursaries to buy time in which to write; marketing support for literary events; and young people’s writing squads.

Ty Newydd which runs creative writing courses in all genres for people of all ages and at all stages of their development. Given that most Welsh writers (acting as tutors) are unknown outside Wales, recruitment for the courses is low. Ty Newydd suggested that courses with tutors from Wales who are actively promoting Welsh writing in English need special financial support.

The Welsh Books Council supports the production and marketing of new writing in two ways: • through a range of services to publishers, provided by its Editorial, Design, Marketing and Children’s Books departments and its wholesale Distribution Centre;

• through grant schemes. Until April 2003, the Welsh Books Council was only funded to offer subsidies for Welsh-language publications, and in particular more popular books and periodicals. Since then, it has assumed responsibility for administering grants for English- language literature (as well as Welsh-language literature), previously managed by the Arts Council of Wales. Recurrent recipients of grant- aid for English language titles include four book publishers, who receive support towards operational costs as well as publishing programmes:- Seren Books, Gomer Press (including the children’s imprint, Pont Books), Honno, the Welsh Women’s Press, Parthian, and three magazines:- Planet, New Welsh Review and Poetry Wales.The Welsh Books Council also considers applications from a range of publishers on a title by title basis.

Publishing

2.2.2 Publishers are few in number, inadequately resourced, have small profits and sluggish cash flows, and are over-dependent on subsidy from public sources. Overall, the industry in Wales brings out less than 0.3% of English language titles in the UK although Wales represents 5% of the UK population.

2.2.3 Given that the financial and human resources of publishers are inadequate, they are unable to take on ambitious or experimental projects. Furthermore, publishers are unable to dedicate sufficient resources to editing and marketing books; nor are they able to offer competitive advances for commissioning writers so as to create commercially viable works.

2.2.4 On a more positive note, Welsh publishing houses have ambition, talented and committed staff, and good quality authors. These are strong foundations upon which to build. It was suggested that publishing excellence be rewarded and further encouraged through the establishment of a set of awards, including ones for best-sellers, best cover, best editor, and publisher of the year.

Additional resources for publishing

2.2.5 The recent increase in the publishing grant to the Welsh Books Council for works in the Welsh language was widely and warmly welcomed. This increase brought the total grant for Welsh language titles to nearly three times that available for titles in the English language. The additional resources have been used to:-

• commission authors to produce books in Welsh of popular appeal. The grant for this was £150,000 from which an individual author can be awarded up to £10,000;

• provide support for publishers to appoint creative editors in the main publishing houses to work closely with authors (6 posts are currently being supported with the additional funding);

• commission market research; and

• provide help for small independent bookshops for promotional activity and computer developments. This support is available to all independent booksellers who stock books of Welsh interest, irrespective of language.

2.2.6 There were widespread calls for the commission grant to be replicated for writers working through the medium of English. One publisher said that over the past eighteen months, it had experience of commissioning Welsh language writers on a scale it had never been able to consider before. The additional funding devoted to Welsh-language writing over the past two years had transformed the way writers are able to work and produce books that the marketplace desires. It had professionalised its dealings with writers, made scheduling easier and brought a new confidence into the world of books.

2.2.7 This is exactly what is needed now to revitalise Welsh writing in English. 2.2.8 To enable publishers to offer remuneration at a reasonable level would make it possible for them to commission the best writers to be published in Wales, and to work to agreed deadlines and deliver on time. Providing for English-language writers what has already been offered to Welsh-language writers must therefore be the starting-point.

Infrastructure

2.2.9 Investment in infrastructure must be a priority in the short to medium term in order to help publishers to achieve their ambitions, become thriving businesses, and less dependent on public subsidy.

2.2.10 This could be achieved in the following ways:

Commission grants

Grants would enable publishers to take decisions on the likely success or otherwise of a particular project. In the longer term this would enable publishers to move away from subsidies and become successful commercial ventures.

Editorial posts for publishing houses

The new work facilitated by commission grants would require the support of strong creative editors (as well as the focused efforts of marketing staff). At present publishing houses struggle to allocate sufficient editorial resources to each book. Increased resources to allow publishers to provide these staff would be necessary in the medium term.

Marketing posts and marketing budgets

A number of contributors (including all the publishers) made the case for increased resources to be targeted at marketing. Marketing budgets for individual titles and support for marketing posts were called for. It was widely believed that the Joint Marketing Strategy offered a blueprint for maximising the resources of all sectors of the books trade in Wales through co-operation, but that it was not a substitute for - indeed its overall success depended upon - the resources and efforts of individual marketing initiatives. (See Chapter 3) 2.2.11 The Committee accepts that there needs to be further support for Welsh writing in English. It considered whether this should be in the form of bursaries or through commission grants. It concluded that the commission grants were more beneficial since they would enable publishers to make judgements on the basis of the market potential of proposed commissions. The Committee accepts that this is the appropriate focus for additional resources. In coming to this conclusion, the Committee noted the success that this approach had brought for works in the Welsh language.

2.2.12 The Committee also acknowledge that there is a short to medium term need for further support for publishers and believes that the commission grant along with the associated editorial posts and marketing funds will greatly strengthen their infrastructure.

Recommendation

• There should be an increase in the publishing grant to the Welsh Books Council to address weaknesses in the infrastructure of publishing houses in Wales. This would include funds for:-

➤ commissioning grants for the production of books of popular appeal in English;

➤ editorial posts;

➤ marketing posts and marketing budget; and

➤ the Joint Marketing Strategy (see Chapter 3).

Drama

2.2.13 It was noted by the majority of contributors in this field, that drama was an undervalued element of Welsh writing in English, in terms of funding and in terms of marketing and promotion of new and old works.

2.2.14 It was generally accepted that a lack of funding resulted in very few new works being commissioned. Funding available for dramatists makes it difficult for them to earn a living, especially considering the sparsity of paid commissions.

2.2.15 Lack of funding also means that production runs are short, which inevitably results in a low profit return. Coupled with the fact that plays are rarely reviewed or published, the outlook is believed to be bleak.

2.2.16 Criticism was levied at the Arts Council of Wales for failing to include new writing in its Five-Year Development Strategy "Supporting Creativity". One contributor suggested that "Long-standing absence of strategic vision and its underpinning with adequate investment and infrastructure" has resulted in a lack of "opportunity for contemporary dramatists to thrive."

2.2.17 Comparisons were drawn between the approach of the Arts Council of and that of the Arts Council of Wales. The Arts Council of England announced a £25 million increase for theatre in 2002, dedicating the vast majority of the money over three years towards additional funding for new writing and new work. Individual companies such as The Soho Theatre received a 160% increase in funding over the three year period. By comparison, Sgript Cymru will receive a 24% increase over the next ten years.

2.2.18 In terms of fora for production of plays, it was suggested by BBC Wales, that radio could be a platform for new writers to showcase their work.

2.2.19 It was suggested that long term investment is the key to success and that "One-year funding is no good in developing a sustainable service to playwrights across Wales." The level of cross-media understanding was considered by many to be weak.

2.2.20 In terms of current support mechanisms, several contributors are making individual efforts to redress the balance in favour of drama. The BBC Wales Writers Unit, for example, works with new writers, reading their scripts and assisting with their development. Sgript Cymru, amongst other initiatives, offer free workshops to schools to assist school children in writing their own plays and to meet with writers to discuss script development. The Welsh Development Agency has been assisting organisations with marketing and promotion.

2.2.21 As to writing for the theatre, the Committee feels that there are complex issues surrounding the relationship between theatre production and writing which go beyond the scope of the review. It welcomes, however, the forthcoming review by the Arts Council of Wales of English language theatre provision in Wales.

Writers on tour

2.2.22 Academi's Writers on Tour scheme helps finance visits by practising writers to schools, libraries, community centres, pubs, arts festivals, and other venues throughout Wales. This is Britain's oldest and most straightforward funding scheme for literature events. Writers on Tour in 1999 - 2000 funded 959 readings and workshops throughout Wales with attendance's by about 60,000 people. Over two hundred different writers took part in these events.

2.2.23 The Academi maintain a database of most English and Welsh medium writers who are Welsh or Welsh-based with brief biographies and contact details. However, organisations are not limited to selecting from this list. Academi will consider applications for any writer with the appropriate credentials; most leading UK writers have worked in Wales in the past few years. The Academi can offer assistance in the selection of writers for particular events.

2.2.24 At present the amount of finance available to the Academi for its Writers On Tour Scheme is severely limited. The scheme does not offer market rates to writers (writers from England demand and regularly get higher fees) and, because of financial limitations, do not reach every school in Wales. The services are regularly oversubscribed.

Recommendation

• Consideration should be given to increasing funding for the Writers on Tour scheme, to support in particular, more visits to schools. A National Poet for Wales

2.2.25 A number of contributors suggested that there should be a poet laureate or national poet for Wales. The Committee would welcome a debate on this but believes the issues raised are outside the terms of this review.

2.3 Classic works

2.3.1 It is important that readers understand the whole canon of Welsh writing in English. The lack of availability of classic texts is a significant problem for teaching, scholarship and readership.

2.3.2 Wales has a history of allowing great books to go out of print, or for them only to be available in expensive hardback editions. When books are brought out in budget editions however, no provision is made for delivery or for creating a market.

2.3.3 Work through libraries and schools is seen by a number of people as a way of keeping the classics alive. Any well rounded educational programme should include them.

2.3.4 Whilst the vision of Culturenet Cymru's 'Books from the Past' website was applauded as a research facility, this review highlighted the need for printed books. The "Library of America" which is a great popular monument to the literary achievements of the USA, was quoted as an example.

2.3.5 There are a significant number of titles available which could be used to create a “Library of Wales”. The Committee therefore asked the Welsh Books Council to analyse the options available for the provision of classic works. The Welsh Books Council told the Committee that they were in favour of bringing more classics back into print, but not at the expense of new Welsh writing in English; they subsequently identified three options for the Committee to consider:- Status Quo

Under the system inherited from the Arts Council of Wales, new editions and reprints of classics compete with new writing for publishing grants. The Welsh Books Council could improve the situation slightly by making it clear in its guidelines that applications for grants for classics in English are welcome.

Ring-fenced budget for classics

Similar to the above, but with a small amount of additional funding this could provide a ring-fenced budget for new editions / reprints of classics.

Library of Wales Project

As a series, a “Library of Wales” could collect and showcase the literary achievements of the English-language writers of Wales from the nineteenth century up to c. 1965. The introductions could be written with the general reader in mind but could also be of use to teachers and students. The series could have a uniform design, offering a distinctive ‘brand’ in order to facilitate its marketing.

Recommendation

• The Committee supports the concept of a Library of Wales for classic works and recommends it be given further consideration. Chapter 3 Marketing and Distribution

Marketing and Distribution

3.1 Marketing provides the biggest challenge for publishing in Wales. There is no one organisation however, specifically charged with the marketing of Welsh writing in English, that has brought to it the passion that is shown in the marketing of Welsh language works. There are several elements in the marketing mix on which we wish to comment:

• Joint Marketing Strategy

• Bookshops

• Libraries

• Literary Review

• Book Awards

• Tourism.

3.2 The Welsh Books Council reported that financial constraints mean that most grants are skewed in the direction of production rather than marketing. In 2003-4, a total of 92 English-language books were supported and the Welsh Books Council distributed £200,000 to revenue publishers and individual publishing grants of £113,000. A further £170,000 was paid to three holders of magazine franchises. Given the demands on the Welsh Books Council's grant for English-language publishing, marketing budgets are inevitably spread thinly (just £250 for each title which receives an individual publishing grant). The effect of a lack of marketing and the fact that 143,000 new titles are published each year in the , is that Welsh writing in English is barely visible in Wales, let alone the rest of the UK. One consequence of the lack of marketing and poor visibility, is that publishers can lose their most successful writers who go elsewhere to have their works marketed and circulated more widely. Joint Marketing Strategy

3.3 The Welsh Books Council was invited by the Welsh Assembly Government to produce an industry wide joint marketing strategy. The group established to undertake this included publishers, trade members, libraries and authors groups. Proposals were circulated widely for consultation in July 2003, and the report was finalised in October 2003.

3.4 The Strategy, which is in the process of being costed, suggests ways to:

• increase attention in the media for Welsh writing in English;

• increase awareness of Welsh authors amongst the general public;

• improve communication between the various elements of the publishing industry in Wales

It also identifies the need for training for all parts of the industry; and the need to learn more about the market in Wales in order to realise full market potential.

3.5 The Strategy has been widely welcomed. "Best blue print available for addressing one of the most urgent and hitherto intractable problems facing the publishing industry in Wales", was a typical comment. The Committee was recommended to include the final document as part of the review.

3.6 The proposed strategy was felt to be all the more important since it reflects the views of the industry as a whole. However, it was made clear by a number of respondents that the Joint Marketing Strategy does not address the limited human and financial resources of individual publishers.

Recommendation

• The Joint Marketing Strategy proposals should be costed and further refined by the Welsh Books Council and its partners with a view to it being implemented by them in the near future. Bookshops

3.7 Works by Welsh authors writing in English are often to be found in an obscure section, such as "Books of local interest'' in many bookshops. Comparisons were made with the situation in and where bookshops stock good selections of indigenous books and display them prominently.

3.8 Small, independent, financially limited booksellers are unable to take risks on titles which cannot guarantee publicity and thus sales. There is a potential market in Wales which is inadequately supplied with Welsh writing in English. The success of occasional popular titles (e.g. sport biographies) brought out by large literary publishers, shows the potential for expansion.

3.9 Greater effort is needed to take mobile bookshops into the valleys of the South East, into factories, schools, shopping centres, offices, and into rural areas.

3.10 Concern was expressed about the role played by major bookselling chains in promoting books from Wales, which have their stockholding controlled from outside Wales. This results in little consideration being given to Wales originated titles. The Committee believes that this is a missed opportunity and that there is much to be gained by marketing works from Wales within the country.

3.11 The Committee has begun to enquire into the policies and practices of major retail book outlets in Wales. It believes that through engaging in dialogue with them, they could be made aware of the need to recognise the importance of sustaining the development of multi- language writing and cultural traditions within Wales.

3.12 The Welsh Books Council’s Distribution Centre offers a next-day delivery service to all parts of Wales and England and is not only a service for the trade but is also available to writers and the public. Its gwales.com site also provides considerable potential for the sale of Welsh writing in English. Recent initiatives have established a foothold in supermarkets. The Council’s Outreach Scheme was cited as a valuable incentive for small booksellers to attend external events to sell books. The Scheme provides promotional material and catalogues in order to broaden trade and customer awareness. The Council has also recently appointed an Overseas Marketing Officer.

Recommendations

• Discussions should continue with the major book retailers in Wales on the promotion of Welsh writing in English.

• This should be supported by hard evidence in the form of data on the sales of Welsh writing in English.

Libraries

3.13 Libraries have a central role to play in marketing and awareness raising. Libraries see themselves as having an important, if often under appreciated, role in the marketing of literature and writing. One of the main priorities of the public library service is to encourage and support reading both as a pleasurable activity in itself and as a means to other benefits.

3.14 As well as participating in Wales and UK wide initiatives, all libraries are involved in the Arts Lottery funded "Estyn Allan" which aims to develop library staff skills in promoting reading, widening readers horizons, organising events and promotional activities. It was suggested that a comparatively modest investment could give more of a focus to these activities and position local libraries as cultural centres. Further, it was felt that the potential of new technology in libraries to promote literature and writers should also be recognised. The Lottery funded People's Network Initiative has enabled virtually all libraries in Wales to offer access to computers which can be used by writers to reach new readers in a variety of exciting and innovative ways.

3.15 Libraries could and should showcase and promote Welsh writing in English distinguishing between Welsh writing in English and English- language books from elsewhere. 3.16 No figures are available on the purchasing of Welsh books in English by libraries. The Committee was told that information about English language book stock is collected in the Annual CIPFA Actuals return. This is not compulsory, but most authorities complete it. The results are collated by the Institute of Public Finance and published in hard copy format. The data includes reference, adult fiction, adult non- fiction, large print and children's books, but no distinction is made within those broad categories. It would not, for example, be possible to extrapolate from the figures the number of books published in Wales that are available in Welsh public libraries. However, due to the introduction of a number of standards for Welsh public library services by the Welsh Assembly Government, there is now a fairly comprehensive collection of data on the number of Welsh-language items in a library stock, including how many are added each year, and how many borrowed. There is a need for comparable information to be made available for English language items.

3.17 On the purchasing side there is a need to investigate ways of improving the sourcing of Welsh books written in English. The Welsh Books Council, whilst not selling directly to libraries, has created a system that allows libraries to receive free samples of new books as they appear, through local bookshops. These viewing copies are then returned to the local bookshop with orders placed for chosen titles. This has traditionally been the practice with Welsh-language books.

3.18 Libraries do not necessarily distinguish between English-medium books from Wales and mainstream English titles and the tendency is to order all English-language books from specialist library suppliers. The three main England-based library suppliers (Cypher, Askews and Holt Jackson) do source books through the Welsh Book Council's Distribution Centre but tend to order directly from individual publishers in order to receive higher margins.

3.19 The Committee believes that libraries have a central role to play both in promoting new works as well as encouraging readership of Welsh writing in English. The Committee feels however, that libraries need to keep more systematic data on readership levels and that they should also work with the Welsh Books Council to develop their purchasing policies. Recommendations

• Data should be collected on the number of Welsh titles written in English in stock, annual additions and numbers borrowed, as is done for Welsh language works.

• Library authorities, in conjunction with the Welsh Books Council, should consider ways of improving the sourcing and purchasing of Welsh writing in English.

• Library authorities should showcase Welsh writing in English in their libraries in order to encourage readership and demand.

Literary Review

3.20 The role of literary reviews in both raising awareness and promoting English language works from Wales is widely regarded as crucial. Literary magazines such as Poetry Wales, Planet and New Welsh Review are well regarded although their circulation is small. These magazines however, cannot substitute for regular and more popular broadsheet literary/arts review. The press, radio and television, were heavily criticised for their lack of coverage of Welsh writing in English.

3.21 The Arts Council of Wales, in conjunction with the Welsh Books Council and the Academi, is initiating discussion with the newspaper industry to seek to develop the current coverage to address, at least in part, the lack of broadsheet review. The talks are to explore links between existing periodicals and newspapers to see whether a wider audience can be found for the work of quality already being produced. Securing more appropriate and focused information from the publishers and publicists to the newspapers themselves is also to be explored.

3.22 The lack of serious literary review in the press and media is a concern, although the Committee applauds the role of the literary magazines. It also welcomes the Arts Council of Wales led initiative to explore the issue with the newspaper industry. The Committee also believes that more could be done in the media to highlight Welsh writing in English perhaps by a "book of the month" review, and certainly by giving more prominence to the "Book of the Year". Recommendations

• The Committee welcomes the Arts Council of Wales initiative in conjunction with the Welsh Books Council and the Academi to address the lack of serious literary reviews in newspapers in Wales. It recommends that the media in Wales should also consider introducing coverage of works of merit and interest.

• The Committee wish to encourage the media to be more proactive in seeking works from writers from Wales for production on both radio and television.

Book Awards

3.23 Competitions and book awards were seen as very effective in promoting new writing and attracting private sector support. However more thought needs to be put into prizes and award ceremonies and in particular the Welsh Book of the Year award. There was a view that the award hardly registers at the Hay-on-Wye Festival and has little or no effect on sales. There were suggestions that either the prize money should be increased (from the current £5,000), and/or that a new award should be established.

3.24 In addition to this writer-focused prize, it was suggested that the Welsh Books Council should take the lead in establishing a set of awards for publishers to encourage and reward excellence, with awards in categories such as bestsellers, best cover, best editor, publisher of the year.

Recommendations

• The value of the Book of the Year prize should be enhanced and should be much more vigorously promoted both before and during the award ceremony.

• The Welsh Books Council should take the lead in developing a set of awards to recognise achievements and encourage excellence in the publishing industry e.g. awards for bestsellers, best cover, best editor, best publisher of the year. • Consideration should be given to promoting Welsh writing in English not only at the Hay Festival for the Book of the Year, but also at other festivals and events throughout Wales.

Tourism

3.25 Links to places where writers lived and places about which they wrote could be better enhanced. There might be a case for a literary map of Wales. More could be done to link the literature of an area to its history.

3.26 Links between Welsh writing in English and the tourist industry were deemed weak but it was felt that there is scope for development. Many respondents called for the encouragement of tourist centres to stock works about Wales as well as championing the need for a regularly updated guide to Welsh writers and where their work can be bought.

3.27 The Committee agrees that the links with the tourist industry need strengthening and feels that discussions with the Welsh Tourist Board and others should be held to explore how this might be done.

Recommendation

• The Committee urges the regional tourism agencies to do more to showcase works both about Wales and also its writers in its tourist centres.

• This should be supported by relevant links with the gwales.com site.

• The production of a literary map of Wales should be explored. Chapter 4 Education

Education

Curricular and examination policy

4.1 It is widely considered that ACCAC and the Welsh Joint Eduction Committee have vital roles to play through the forming of curricular and examination policy. Schools play an important part in nurturing the readers and writers of the future. As for the education sector as a whole, a number of respondents claimed that in this the English-language literature culture of the country had been largely disregarded. This has resulted, some argued, in failure to provide the young generation of students with any real cultural understanding of modern Wales. It was also pointed out that training a culturally literate readership would in the longer term result in a strong market for texts.

4.2 It is recognised that the Assembly and ACCAC have ensured that the English-language literature of Wales is studied as an obligatory part 1 of the national curriculum and that the Curriculum Cymreig is a common requirement across all subject areas. Pupils need to be incentivised to understand and celebrate the distinctive quality of living and learning in Wales and to identify their own sense of Welshness. This will help foster a heightened sense of belonging to their country and its wealth of different local communities. Every possible educational means should be employed to advance this end.

4..3 The examination specifications developed by the Welsh Joint Education Committee currently include many English-language texts that have relevance to Wales, although the study of these texts is not obligatory. It was claimed, however, that availability of suitable texts is unacceptably limited by the exclusion from ACCAC’s brief of responsibility for producing English-language texts for curriculum study. There is also a lack of books in print that constitute the core of modern Welsh writing in English. Suitable drama texts are also not easy to find. Indeed, drama scripts by Welsh writers suitable for schools, and available in published form, are as one of the most obvious gaps in the field. While

1 This was not the view put to the Committee by the respondents to the review. It was widely believed that the study of Welsh writing in English is not obligatory. Legal advice however, obtained by the Committee confirms that it is. the Welsh Joint Education Committee promotes the study of books with a special relevance to Welsh culture and identity in the English language, it is regretted that the National Language Unit has a limited budget for writers to produce original and resource materials to support effective teaching of English-language texts.

4.4 It was suggested that the Welsh Joint Education Committee’s efforts are hampered by the fact that ACCAC's remit does not extend to commissioning English-language writing of relevance to Wales. As constituted under the current brief, ACCAC’s responsibilities are to produce only Welsh or bilingual material for the curriculum. It was therefore strongly felt that ACCAC's remit needed to be reviewed as a matter of urgency, with a view to its being extended to include the production of Welsh writing in English resources for the classroom. It was claimed that many teachers are frustrated by the lack of awareness of availability of texts for study in schools.

4.5 The need for ‘classic’ texts by school and colleges was highlighted. Respondents identified the need for bodies such as ACCAC, the Welsh Books Council and publishers to work closely together to look at opportunities to reprint the ‘classics’ and encourage their study in schools and colleges. According to some respondents there exists the opportunity to instil in pupils at every stage of their education a love for the written word and the experience of discovering their own country through books.

4.6 In terms of drama it considered that there was little link-up with the education sector, which is increasingly offering creative writing, script writing and media training as an option, and providers in the creative industries. The majority of contributors were agreed that English language plays should feature on the school syllabus and that the education sector could be a vital tool in raising awareness of dramatists and their work. Further and Higher Education

4.7 Many of the colleges of Wales either run creative writing courses or critical strands which relate to Welsh writing in English. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses developed at University of Wales, (CREW - Centre for Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales), University of Wales, Bangor (R.S. Thomas Centre) and University of are creating both a demand for both new and classic texts of Welsh writing in English, and a cohort of specialists, many of whom will go on to work in the education system in Wales to produce a new generation of general readers with a greatly enhanced interest in Welsh writing in English.

4.8 It is important that the study of Welsh writing in English is properly respected on all relevant courses in Wales. Some respondents felt that there had been an almost systematic disregard of the English- language literary culture of the country with the Welsh writing in English sector being marginalized, and younger scholars in effect being discouraged from working in the field.

4.9 According to some respondents, the practical consequences of this negative attitude have been immensely damaging - ranging from the lack of a body of scholarship sufficient to sustain a comprehensive assessment of this culture, to a failure to provide young generation after young generation of students with the full depth of understanding of the cultures of Wales. One obvious result of this has been the production of successive generations of school and college teachers unequipped (and correspondingly reluctant) to introduce pupils, in their turn, to the English- language literature that carries so much of their own country's history. It was felt that this situation is in very urgent need of remedy. Welsh writing in English may constitute an option from within the curriculum but without the support literature it is unlikely to be chosen for study. Without school study there will be less likelihood that students will elect to study Welsh writing in English at university; because of this there are less teaching posts in the field and young academics encounter a glass ceiling. Many are forced to diversify, either leaving academia altogether or moving on to teach and research other areas. 4.10 Despite the work now being undertaken at CREW, along with related initiatives at University of Wales, Bangor and at the , representing a significant advance, it is felt that a great deal more needs to be done. Current activities are due purely to isolated individual initiatives by senior, influential scholars, and therefore remain highly vulnerable as they are not underpinned by institutional commitments.

4.11 It was noted that the token funding made available - by the institutions themselves and through the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) - is wholly inadequate for the long-term maintenance and development of programmes of research, teaching, training and publication.

4.12 The work of AWE (the [Universities'] Association of Welsh Writing in English) over two decades in fostering a very broad-based readership for Welsh writing in English (its annual Gregynog conferences are regularly oversubscribed) has paved the way for new initiatives.

Network of interlinked research centres for Welsh writing in English

4.13 In this and in other related connections, it was proposed that a funding body as HEFCW, should establish a Higher Education network of interlinked research centres for Welsh writing in English. While housed within existing institutions across Wales, these centres would be co- operative (not mutually competitive) and work together to constitute a national institution focused on the study of Welsh writing in English in Wales. And the Institute should be provided, through a properly financed University of Wales Press, with an adequate outlet for its publications; it was suggested "that scholarship dies unless it is able to circulate".

4.14 The Committee endorse the many strongly held views about the importance of the education system at every level both in encouraging the readership and study of Welsh writing in English and in developing cultural identity. The Committee also believe that the suggested Welsh writing in English Institute would provide a valuable focus for the future. Recommendations

• ACCAC’S remit should be extended to commissioning Welsh writing in English (including drama) for the WJEC curriculum.

• Further consideration should be given to the proposal for a Higher Education network of interlinked research centres for Welsh writing in English.

Chapter 5 Summary of Recommendations

Summary of Recommendations

Chapter 2: Support for Welsh Writing in English

New Writing

• There should be an increase in the publishing grant to the Welsh Books Council to address weaknesses in the infrastructure of publishing houses in Wales. This would include funds for:

➤ commissioning grants for the production of books of popular appeal in English;

➤ editorial posts;

➤ marketing posts and marketing budget; and

➤ the Joint Marketing Strategy. (see Chapter 3)

Writers on Tour

• Consideration should be given to increasing funding for the Writers on Tour scheme, to support in particular, more visits to schools.

Classic Works

• The Committee supports the concept of a Library of Wales for classic works and recommends it be given further consideration.

Chapter 3: Marketing and Awareness

Joint Marketing Strategy

• The Joint Marketing Strategy proposals should be costed and further refined by the Welsh Books Council and its partners with a view to it being implemented in the near future. Bookshops

• Discussions should continue with the major book retailers in Wales on the promotion of Welsh writing in English.

• This should be supported by hard evidence in the form of data on the sales of Welsh writing in English.

Libraries

• Data should be collected on the number of Welsh titles written in English in stock, annual additions and numbers borrowed, as is done for Welsh language works.

• Library authorities in conjunction with the Welsh Books Council, should consider ways of improving the sourcing and purchasing of Welsh writing in English.

• Library authorities should showcase Welsh writing in English in their libraries in order to encourage readership and demand.

Literary Review

• The Committee welcomes the Art Councils Wales initiative, in conjunction with the Welsh Books Council and the Academi to address the poor lack of serious literary reviews in newspapers in Wales. It recommends that the media in Wales should also consider introducing coverage of works of merit and interest.

• The Committee wish to encourage the media to be more proactive in seeking works from writers from Wales for production on both radio and television.

Book Awards

• The value of the Book of the Year prize should be enhanced and should be subject to much more vigorous promotion both before and during the award ceremony. • The Welsh Books Council should take the lead in developing a set of awards to recognise achievements and encourage excellence in the publishing industry e.g. awards for bestsellers, best cover, best editor, best publisher of the year.

• Consideration should be given to promoting Welsh writing in English not only at the Hay Festival for the Book of the Year, but also at other festivals and events throughout Wales.

Tourism

• The Committee urges the regional tourism agencies to do more to showcase works both about Wales and also its writers in its tourist centres.

• This should be supported by relevant links with the gwales.com site.

• The production of a literary map of Wales should be explored.

Chapter 4: Education

Curricular and Examination Policy

• ACCAC’S remit should be extended to commissioning Welsh writing in English (including drama) for the WJEC curriculum.

Further and Higher Education

• Further consideration should be given to the proposal for a Higher Education network of interlinked research centres for Welsh writing in English.

Chapter 6 Summary of Review

Summary of Review

Background

6.1 The predecessor Culture Committee of the first Assembly undertook a scoping study on 12 March 2003 to consider the merits of undertaking a policy review of anglo-Welsh culture. The Culture Committee concluded that the term "anglo-Welsh" should be avoided and that such a review should concentrate initially on books and writing, in particular new writing, but might in later stages extend to English medium drama and possibly to new media.

Scope

6.2 At its meeting of 2 July 2003 the newly formed Culture, Welsh Language and Sport Committee agreed that the scope of its review should cover English-medium writing in Wales - that is books, poetry, plays and screenplays, and support for writers.

Terms of Reference

6.3 The following terms of reference of the review were also agreed by the Committee at its meeting of 2 July 2003:

To review

(i) the contribution of English-medium books and writing in Wales to Welsh culture;

(ii) the support mechanisms available to writers in Wales, including playwrights and screenplay writers;

(iii) the support mechanisms for the production and marketing of new writing, including private sector support; and

(iv) the mechanisms for raising public awareness of English-medium and writers. 6.4 Consultees were also requested to structure their submissions to address the following points:

• the barriers and opportunities which currently exist;

• links with other sectors, such as education and tourism;

• the role of relevant players, including the voluntary and private sectors;

• whether promoting new writing or the ‘classic’ should have greater priority; and

• how support for maintaining 'classic' English medium Welsh writing might best be managed. Chapter 7 Contributors to the Review

Contributors to the Review

7.1 Written consultation

7.1.2 Invitations to contribute to the review were issued on 15 July 2003 with responses being sought by 29 August 2003. The Committee invited over 250 consultees. There were 35 responses from academics, publishers, educational bodies, cultural public bodies and other stakeholders.

7.1.3 All the responses below are available on the Committee's website - www.wales.gov.uk - under Committees from 2003/Culture, Welsh Language and Sport/Policy Reviews/English medium writing in Wales.

7.1.4 A copy of the consultation letter and list of consultees is also available from the above website.

Organisation Respondent Position

Aberystwyth Centre for Rhidian Griffiths the Book ACCAC John Valentine Williams Chief Executive Arts Council of Wales Peter Tyndall Chief Executive BBC Wales Writers’ Unit Helen Raynor Script Editor Centre for Advanced Geraint H Jenkins Director Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales Centre for Research Professor M Wynn Director into the English Thomas FBA Literature & Langauge of Wales Chartered Institute of Huw Llywelyn Evans Executive Officer Library and Information Professionals Wales Organisation Respondent Position

Conwy County Borough Rona Aldrich County Librarian Council and Archivist Deunant Books L M Broad Proprietor Education, Culture and Hywel James Principal Librarian Leisure Department, Council Gomer Press Mairwen Prys Jones Publishing Director Greencroft Books Brian John Proprietor Hijinx Theatre Ltd Val Hill Administrative Director Honno Welsh Janet Thomas Editor Women’s Press Impart Books, Newtown Alick Hartly Sole Proprietor John Fish BSc John Fish Proprietor Publishers Literary Publishers Richard Houdmont Chair (Wales) Ltd County Kevin Smith Libraries and Council Culture Manager National Library of Pedr ap Llwyd Supporting Director Wales New Welsh Review Dr Francesca Editor Rhydderch Parthian Dr Richard Lewis Publishing Director Davies Personal Deborah C Fisher Writer Personal Richard Houdmont Personal Helen Raynor Personal Jeni Williams Seren Mick Felton Managing Director Organisation Respondent Position

Sgript Cymru - Simon Harris Artistic Director Contemporary Drama Wales Society of Chief Kevin Smith Wales Representative Librarians (SCL) in SCL Executive Wales Committee The Welsh Academi Peter Finch Chief Executive The Writers’ Guild of Gareth Miles & Co-Chairperson, Roger Williams Welsh Committee & Member of Welsh Committee Ty Newydd Sally Baker Director University of Professor Emeritus Emeritus Professor Glamorgan Meic Stephens of Welsh Writing in English University of Wales Dr L E Williams Secretary General Welsh Books Council Gwerfyl Pierce Jones Director Welsh Joint Education Iolo M Ll Walters Director of Committee (WJEC) Cultural Services 7.2 Oral Evidence

7.2.1 There were 3 evidence gathering meetings between 15 October 2003 and 3 December 2003. 19 organisations and individuals were invited to present evidence; all the papers below are also on the Committee’s website.

Name Committee Meeting Paper Reference Date

Welsh Books Council 15 October 2003 CWLS(2)-04-03(p.1) Professor Meic Stephens 15 October 2003 CWLS(2)-04-03(p.2) Professor M Wynn Thomas 15 October 2003 CWLS(2)-04-03(p.3) National Library of Wales 12 November 2003 CWLS(2)-05-03(p.1) The Welsh Academi 12 November 2003 CWLS(2)-05-03(p.2) Society of Chief Librarians 12 November 2003 CWLS(2)-05-03(p.3) ACCAC 12 November 2003 CWLS(2)-05-03(p.4) Welsh Joint Education 12 November 2003 CWLS(2)-05-03(p.5) Committee Arts Council of Wales 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.1) Writers’ Guild of Great 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.2) Britain Sgript Cymru 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.3) New Welsh Review 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.4) BBC Wales 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.5) BBC Wales - Additional 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.5) background paper Parthian 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.6) Literary Publishers 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.7) (Wales) Ltd Seren 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.8) Honno Welsh Women’s 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.9) Press Gomer Press 3 December 2003 CWLS(2)-06-03(p.10)