Forward Single Poem 2023 (Highly Commended)

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“Lyrical Invention” (prompted by Welsh language trolling on Twitter) was Highly commended in this year’s Forward Competiton It was originally published by Planet : The Welsh Internationalist and shepherded by the supportive editorship  of Emily Trahair. Dwi’n ddiolchgar ofnadwy i Emily a’i chefnogaeth cynnar. Rhaid cefnogi cylchgronau bach – weithie yr unig le ceir dadynsoddiadau   gwir annibynnol. Emily showed such support when it was needed at the early stages of making a book- Planet needs support as do all our small journals  and magazines. There we find true independent reflection and analytic enquiry. Precious — werth y byd.  Having Planet’s early support really helped me secure the volume REPUBLIC from seren. Diolch. x  … Read More →

Five artistic influences: REPUBLIC (Wales Arts Review)

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The good people form Wales Arts Review asked me for five key influences on the writing of REPUBLIC- so I went with first thought best thought. I  believe these to be true (at least for a prose volume  reflecting on language, music and community… ) FIVE ART WORKS- WALES ARTS REVIEW

Cyfweliad Golwg am y Weriniaeth/ Interview in Golwg (REPUBLIC)

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    Y bardd gafodd ei sbarduno gan y Sîn Roc Gymraeg “Roedd e’n creu ymwybyddiaeth bod sawl math o Gymreictod, a bod dim rhaid i chi fod yn hollol bur, bod dim rhaid i chi fod yn berchen ar garafán” NON TUDUR.       Linc GOLWG fyma- here

New volume and launch on 17th March in Goldstone Books Carmarthen 6-7:30pm

  Republic Nerys Williams   here  9781781726969 •  Poetry • Paperback • £9.99 “Republic is the explosive new poetry collection from Nerys Williams. In it she opens a window on life in rural west Wales during the 1980s and 90s when arts and culture boomed. English and Welsh-language post-punk bands, politics, feminism and family life are thrown together on the page as she questions what constitutes a republic?”   Praise for Republic “Nerys Williams has written a ‘gold rush’ of a book, at times explosive and at other times meditative and soulful. Her vignettes, richly poetic, zing and thrill, delight and haunt. You will want to slow down your reading… Read More →

Review of “Republic” BBC Radio Wales “The Review Show” 17th February

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BBC RADIO WALES: THE REVIEW SHOW 17TH FEBRUARY, 2022 Reviewing The Review Show: Delighted with the review on BBC Radio Wales – the reviewers engaged with Republic‘s key issues:  politics, music, subjectivity and the represenation of Welsh language. Many of the issues raised – where the book might fit in terms of it being an experiement in prose, how it might be seen as a cross genre work were particulalry thoughtful My aim in Republic  was to reach  a broader readership than my earlier work Sound Archive   to address the complexities of bilingualism and the thinking through of Welsh identity (without reverting to tropes). In the past I have… Read More →

BBC at 100: Plath’s Maternity Verse Drama

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I’ve been writing on Syliva Plath’s engagement witn BBC Radio as a writer and poet – August 19th 2022 marked the 60th anniversary of  the broadcast of Plath’s  Three Women on the Third Programme . Produced by Douglas Cleverdon this was Plath’s only commisioned work for the BBC. Set on a materinty ward it follows the late pregnancies and birthing experiences of three unnamed patients. It is a remarkable work for its time addressing issues about consent, medical intervention, gynaecological rights, miscarriage and abortion. The research has been inclluded  as an essay “Sylvia Plath’s Three Women: Producing a Poetics of Listening at the BBC” in  this  insghtful book of essays.    The… Read More →

Cardiff Poetry Experiment: 15th February 2020

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As part of the Cardiff Poetry Festival I’ll be reading at an event hosted by Cardiff Poetry Experiment Saturday February 15 2020 Temple of Peace 18:00 Ailbhe Darcy hosts The Cardiff Poetry Experiment: Irish Women Poets “Wales Book of the Year winner, poet Ailbhe  Darcy introduces this trio of performers who expand the limits of the Irish canon. Cherry Smyth will read from her extraordinary book on the Irish famine, Famished, accompanied by ‘Powerful, freewheeling’ jazz singer Lauren Kinsella. Multi-prizewinning poet Nerys Williams, originally from West Wales, now based in Dublin, reads from her thought-provoking collection, Cabaret, and new work”   See more here https://cardiffpoetryfestival.com/event-14/  

Brexit’s Hard Hit Neighbours

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Originally published in Welsh in O’r Pedwar Gwynt (Dec 2018)   Arriving at my final destination, I am slightly disoriented. I am travelling from Dublin to a work meeting in Northern Ireland. I have changed my train at Belfast and have caught another train to Coleraine. This is the furthest north I have travelled since living in the Irish Republic. Initially, I am greeted by friendly signs advertising the Bushmills whiskey distillery. There is also a North Coast Guided Tour for Game of Thrones departing from Coleraine’s Railway Place. During this short visit, I am reminded, by the loud conversations of a film unit during my motel breakfast, how important the success… Read More →