Tir na n-Og Awards

てぃる・な・のぐしょう

Annual literary award targeting children's books from Wales. Consists of one English award category and two Welsh-language award categories (Primary/Secondary).

Children's literatureEnglish awardWelsh-language award (Primary/Secondary)

Established: 1976
Organizer: Books Council of Wales (Welsh Books Council / Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru)
Category: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Selection Method: Open call
Target: Open
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around May–June
Status: Active

Description

The Tir na n-Og Awards, established in 1976, is an annual literary award recognizing books for children and young adults from Wales. Organized by the Books Council of Wales, it selects works published in the previous year. The English award targets English works with an "authentic Welsh background (rooted in Wales)" and the Welsh-language awards are presented in Primary (primary school level) and Secondary (secondary school level) categories. Both fiction and non-fiction are eligible, and winning works are announced at the CILIP/Wales conference or Urdd National Eisteddfod.

Prize

Main Prize: Prize money is awarded to the winning work in each category, and honored at the official venue
Cash Prize: 1,000 GBP

Award announcement and ceremony (English award at CILIP/Wales conference, Welsh-language award at Urdd National Eisteddfod)
Publication of bookmarks and winner information by Books Council of Wales
Publicity opportunities from sponsoring publishers and organizations

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Pass Rate	Announcement
Determination of eligible works (books published in the previous year)	—	—
Shortlist selection (3-4 works per category published by BCW)	—	BCW (Books Council of Wales) publishes the shortlist (at least since 2011)
Final selection and winner announcement	—	English award at CILIP/Wales annual conference (May), Welsh-language award at Urdd National Eisteddfod (late May to early June)

Determination of eligible works (books published in the previous year)

Judges

Shortlist selection (3-4 works per category published by BCW)

Judges

Announcement BCW (Books Council of Wales) publishes the shortlist (at least since 2011)

Final selection and winner announcement

Judges

Announcement English award at CILIP/Wales annual conference (May), Welsh-language award at Urdd National Eisteddfod (late May to early June)

Criteria

Must be a book for children and young adults published in the previous year
English award: Originally in English, with Wales's "authentic Welsh background (true Welsh context)"
Welsh-language award: Content suitable for the target age (Primary/Secondary)
Genre unrestricted (both fiction and non-fiction eligible)
Quality as reading material, suitability for target readers, cultural and regional relevance

Application Tips

Dos

For the English award, clearly demonstrate a distinct Welsh background (setting, culture, history, etc.) in the work
For the Welsh-language award, focus on expressions and themes aligned with the target age (Primary/Secondary)
Confirm that the submission is a work "published in the previous year"
Check publication information from publishers or BCW announcements (e.g., shortlist)
Emphasize quality of writing that reaches children and youth, regardless of genre (non-fiction also eligible)

Don''ts

Do not submit works not corresponding to the target year
Do not submit works with weak connection to Wales for the English award
Do not ignore submission format or routes (e.g., via publisher)
Do not use content or expressions unsuitable for the target readers' age

From Judges

Clearly balance regionality (Welsh characteristics) and universality
Emphasize a strong "voice" or perspective that resonates with children and youth
Value story structure, character appeal, and vivid writing

Related Awards

Welsh Books Council – Awards and Prizes (Other awards information from Welsh Books Council)
Urdd National Eisteddfod (Announcement venue for Welsh-language award)
CILIP Cymru Wales (Announcement and related events for English award)
Other UK children's literature awards (e.g., Carnegie Medal, etc.)