Unpublished novel medal has been withheld by adjudicators
A MEDAL for the writer of an unpublished novel of no less than 50,000 words has not been awarded.
The Daniel Owen Memorial Prize attracted more entries than ever before – 13 – but it was withheld yesterday by adjudicators, Bethan Gwanas, Caryl Lewis and the late Tony Bianchi, who died a few weeks ago.
Ms Gwanas said: “We’ve seen some excellent novels published following this competition over the years, so the three of us were looking forward to reading the 13 novels which arrived this year. Yes, 13 novels, with some of them weighing a ton! So, thanks to everyone for competing.
“I was looking for novels that could make me forget that I was in fact adjudicating them – novels which would grasp me and take me into the magical imagination of the writers.
“Unfortunately, there was very little magical imagination this year. There were interesting ideas and some excellent characters, but too many of the novels were still in draft stages, and although writing at least 50,000 words is hard work, the real work is the self-editing and the polishing at the end of the process.
“So although we recognise the perseverance needed to create these works, we appeal to the competitors and anyone considering writing a novel to realise that it’s very rare that the first draft will be good enough.
“I started on a sad note this afternoon, and I’m also going to have to finish on a sad note, as with a heavy heart, I must announce that the three of us were unanimous, that to protect the standard and reputation of the competition, we cannot award this year’s Daniel Owen Memorial Prize.”
The prize had included £5,000, donated by Ann Clwyd in memory of her husband Owen Roberts, Newborough.