Two chain novels written by Ceredigion’s young people
Two new novels have been published following collaborative work by pupils from primary schools in Ceredigion.
Antur Fawr Tomi Bach, by year 5 and 6 pupils, and Tro ar Fyd, by year 3 and 4 pupils, have been co-authored, as chain novels. Work began following two initial writing squads at the beginning of May under the guidance of local writer Gwennan Evans. During these sessions, the pupils created characters and a plot, before the two crews set about writing the first chapter of their novels together.
Follow-up writing sessions were held in each school, led by members of the Ceredigion Welsh Language Support Team, so that each group could plan and write their own chapter of the chain novel and transfer it to the next school.
The writing, editing and design work has now been completed, and both novels have been officially launched. The launch took place at the National Library of Wales on Wednesday 09 July 2025.
During the event, Year 3 and 4 pupils from Ysgol Henry Richard and Year 5 and 6 pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth, winners of the Ceredigion county round of the Welsh Books Council Book Contest, presented copies of both novels to Rhodri Morgan, Head of the Education Department at the National Library; Bethan Mai Jones and Francesca Sciarrillo from the Children's Books and Reading Promotion Department of the Welsh Books Council; Emyr Lloyd from Ceredigion Library and Councillor Wyn Thomas on behalf of Ceredigion County Council.
The rest of the writing squad members – from Talgarreg, Llanilar, Penllwyn, Aberaeron and Pontrhydfendigaid schools – joined the launch virtually, to see copies of their novels for the first time and listen to Gwennan Evans read excerpts from both.
Councillor Wyn Thomas, Ceredigion's Cabinet Member for Schools and Lifelong Learning, said: "Congratulations to the young writers on their fantastic work. Publishing a novel is quite a feat, and getting a glimpse of the world of publishing by collaborating with an experienced writer was a worthwhile experience. Thanks to the Welsh Language Support Team in Ceredigion for the vision. This project is a wonderful culmination and a sign of thanks to the pupils for their great work in competing in the county round of the Book Contest, where their enthusiasm in discussing stories, characters and themes and their enjoyment of reading Welsh books was evident."
Copies will be available at every county library, in the National Library of Wales, and in every primary school in the county.