Cardiff Creative Writers recognised in prestigious Welsh prize

Creative Writing’s Meredith Miller shortlisted in 10th Rhys Davies Short Story Prize

Author Meredith Miller is among the 12 authors shortlisted for the 2022 Rhys Davies Short Story Competition, originally established in 1991.

Her short story will feature in the forthcoming anthology out with Parthian Books, with ‘Close in Time, Space or Order’ responding to contemporary issues, as she explains:

“This is a story about mothers, daughters, feminism, climate activism and generational loss. It was inspired in part by the wonderful Welsh author Brenda Chamberlain, by environmental activists I know now, and by those I remember from years ago.”

New York born Meredith Miller is the author of Little Wrecks (2017) and How We Learned to Lie (2018) as well as several short stories and a body of literary criticism alongside teaching in the school’s acclaimed creative writing wing.

The competition recognises the very best unpublished short stories in English in any style and on any subject up to a maximum of 5,000 words by writers aged 18 with roots in Wales, whether native, current domicile, or spending at least two years in the country.

Born in the Rhondda in 1901, Rhys Davies was among the most dedicated, prolific, and accomplished of Welsh prose-writers in English, penning more than 100 stories, 20 novels, three novellas, two topographical books, two plays, and an autobiography.

The shortlist also features work by Lindsay Gillespie, Bethan James, Laura Morris, Jonathan Page, Matthew G. Rees, Eryl Samuel, Matthew David Scott, Carys Shannon, Anthony Shapland, Satterday Shaw and Daniel Patrick Strogen.

Guest judge Rachel Trezise said: “The shortlisted stories included are brilliant samples of short story writing at its best — intriguing characters, clever plotting, powerful language and engaging themes —features Rhys Davies was known and of course, loved for. Many of the stories are set in Davies’ own south Wales valleys but there are urban settings too, and themes that range from identity and belonging to isolation, estrangement and grief.”

Richard Davies of Parthian Books said: “The Rhys Davies Short Story Award is the major prize for short story writing in Wales. From Leonora Brito to Tristan Hughes to Kate Hamer, the winners have always been writers of the highest standard and it will be an honour to publish the work of the finalists in a special anthology dedicated to this Competition.”

Creative writing’s Tristan Hughes is among past winners of the prestigious prize.

The 2022 Rhys Davies Short Story Award features a £1000 prize, with all shortlisted authors receiving £100 as well as featuring in the anthology following the announcement on 30 September.