Seren Books, Bridgend, Wales

Seren Books, described by one myspace admirer as a, "tidy lil publisher," is an independent publisher specializing in Welsh writers in English. Following a string of nominations and awards to its writers, Seren is currently enjoying what is hopefully only the beginning of great success: Sea Holly, by Robert Minhinnick, was shortlisted for the Ondaatje Prize; poet John Haynes won the 2007 Costa Poetry prize; a translation of an Albanian novel – The Loser by Fatos Kongoli – was shortlisted for the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression award 2008; To Babel and Back, by Robert Minhinnick won the Welsh Book of the Year in 2006, Mr Cassini by Lloyd Jones in 2007 and Blue Sky July by Nia Wyn is on this year's long list.

Founded in 1981 by Mick Felton, its current editor, Seren titles itself "Wales' leading literary publisher," and is described on its website as: "... an independent literary publisher, specialising in English-language writing from Wales. Our diverse and eclectic list has something to offer anyone with an interest in excellent writing. Our aim is not simply to reflect what is going on in the culture in which we publish, but to drive that culture forward, to engage with the world, and to bring Welsh literature, art and politics before a wider audience."

In addition to being able to sign up for membership, read articles and profiles of Seren's very impressive stable of writers on its website, you can experience live poetry readings from Seren authors on their youtube page and learn more about Seren on its myspace profile.

Seren offers an amazing list of works and writers, including literature, poetry, photography and art, including:

LLOYD JONES, Mr Cassini, Mr. Vogel. "Former farm-worker, newspaper editor, chamber-of-horrors employee and lecturer, Lloyd Jones lives in Llanfairfechan, on the north Wales coast. Following a bout of alcoholism which nearly killed him, he set off on an epic walk around Wales, the inspiration for his novel, Mr Vogel."


ROBERT MINHINNICK, Sea Holly, Badlands, (many more titles). Robert Minhinnick is a prolific multi-award winning poet and author, former editor of Poetry Wales and co-founder of Sustainable Wales


NIA WYN, Blue Sky July. Journalist Nia Wyn's autobiographical memoir of the first seven years of her son, Joe's, life with cerebral palsy.