Mudiad Meithrin is proud to announce the names of the authors who were successful in their applications to join the AwDUra scheme. This is a new scheme to encourage Welsh voices from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicity communities to write stories for young children, with the support of two big names in the world of Welsh writing and publishing – Jessica Dunrod and Manon Steffan Ros. AwDura’s aim is to encourage the creation of stories for children in the Mudiad Meithrin community and beyond. We hope to publish stories by new voices.
Author Jessica Dunrod said:
“It gives me great pleasure to work with Mudiad Meithrin to begin a project which will address the lack of representation in Welsh fiction and the lack of support and opportunities for Welsh authors. It was very difficult for me to make my books, let alone let the world know that I had created them. This project will ensure that the next Black and Brown authors will not find it as difficult as I did and I am delighted that an organization such as Mudiad Meithrin is helping to break down the barriers for authors who lack sufficient representation.”
Author Manon Steffan Ros said:
“It is a real honor for me to be part of the AwDUra project. For as long as we can remember, Wales has been home to a very wide cross section of people, but that is not reflected in our culture at all, and it is time to redress that and take positive and constructive steps to ensure fair representation in our literature. This can only enrich our culture.”
The names of the 10 successful applicants are:
Lal Davies, Emily Drew, Jaziea Farag, Natalie Jones, Theresa Mgadzah Jones, Chantelle Moore, Nia Morais, Melanie Owen, Sarah Younan and Mili Williams
Over the next four months they will receive support to create stories for young children and Mudiad Meithrin will commit to the publication of two works by these new authors, supporting others to continue to create.