DAPS 2009
WORDS:?Jayne Walter & Abhijan Barua
New Welsh?literary talent will be unveiled at the University Of Glamorgan on Friday 13 March.
The annual Creative Writing Anthology, DAPS will be officially launched in the presence of Rachel Tresize, former student and winner of the prestigious Dylan Thomas Prize.
The book is written, compiled and edited by university students. The students manage the funding as well as the sales of the book post publication. It comprises of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
The launch will also be attended by other acclaimed writers and poets such as Des Barry, Maria Donovan, Chris Meredith, Sheenagh Pugh and children's writer Philip Gross; all of whom have taught at the university's Creative Writing degree program.
This year, DAPS will be making a marketing breakthrough by being sold at independent book retailers across UK, instead of limiting itself to a?five mile radius of the university like the previous editions.
Ross Raisin, author of God's Own Country?which was shortlisted for the 2008 Dylan Thomas prize, supports the idea of an independent student publication like DAPS.
He said: "I think an idea like this is fantastic for a young writer, and certainly in terms of my own experience was the most helpful first step in getting my work recognised by an audience of more than just myself and my fellow students. I wish everyone involved with this book the very best of luck".
The editor of DAPS, Thierry Heles said: "It is important to our contributors and to the editorial team that the book is read by as wide an audience as possible.?
"We made a conscious decision this year to target the national market via independent book retailers, so we simply contacted retailers direct by telephone.?
"It's an entirely new experience to us, but the response has been fantastic. We are well on the way to gaining enough revenue from advance orders and advertising to almost cover the cost of producing the book. This is a first, and we're all extremely proud of this achievement".
Entry is restricted to invitees and students, hence those interested in attending the launch should contact Abhijan Barua to get registered on the guest list on 07964 062184 or joebarua@gmail.com.
IMAGE: Lin Pernille ♥ Photography
1 Comment – Postiwch sylw
Editor
Rhoddwyd sylw 38 mis yn ôl - 10th March 2009 - 12:51pm
Both myself and Dan from the Editorial Group have been published in previous editions, along with published authors including Rachel Trezise and Trevor Byrne.
It is a great anthology that showcases new writing talent.