A filmmaker embarking on her first poetry collection; a poet and journalist who is tracking down 150 poets from six continents to ask them about their inspiration; and a publisher of contemporary experimental poetry in miniature editions are among a number of writers who have been awarded 2014 bursaries by Literature Wales.  

Poet and award-winning filmmaker Zillah Bowes, pictured, is currently a tutor at a two-week course, The Language of Film Poetry, at Ty Newydd, the National Writers’ Centre of Wales. She trained and teaches at the National Film and Television School. Several of her poems have been published in anthologies and magazines, and she will be mentored by Pascale Petit and other poets while putting together her first collection.

Poet and journalist Karen Owen has searched six continents for other poets born in the same year as her. She has identified 150, and will look at what has inspired them to write. She teaches the art of writing cynghanedd (strict metre poetry). Her second volume of poetry, Siarad Trwy'i Het (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas), won the poetry category in Wales Book of the Year 2012.

Steven Hitchins grew up in Abercynon in the south Wales valleys, and teaches English and creative writing. His chapbook Bitch Dust was published by Hafan Books in 2012. He runs the Literary Pocket Book press and little magazine, publishing contemporary experimental poetry in miniature editions using unusual book-folds.

Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch has published three collections: Rockclimbing in Silk (Seren, 2001), Not in These Shoes (Picador, 2008) and Banjo (Picador, 2012). Twice shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year, she is the recipient of a Hawthornden Fellowship and a Leverhulme writer in residence award. In June 2014 she will be poet in residence at the Dylan Thomas Boathouse in Laugharne. She also runs a writers’ retreat.

Literature Wales has handed out a total of £1m in bursaries since 2004, and runs the scheme, which allows writers to take time out of employment to write, or some small-scale travel and research, on behalf of the Arts Council of Wales. Dai Smith, chair of the Arts Council of Wales, said: “Arts Council of Wales is delighted to continue investing in emerging literary talent. Supporting and rewarding a new generation of talent is at the heart of what we believe in and provides a great example of how together we can support literary flair and bring its treasure to wider and wider audiences.”