Alexander Cordell was one of Wales' most popular writers, and he honed his skills by entering a writing competition in 1957, run by the South Wales Argus, which offered a prize for 'the most interesting literary project'. Cordell's submission, 'Life among the Ironworkers of Garndyrus and Blaenavon', contained extracts from a 'novel in hand' which was published two years later - the international best-seller Rape of the Fair Country. The research Cordell undertook for this competition shaped his literary career, so it seems only fitting that 50 years later he should be remembered through a competition which encourages a new generation of writers to look more closely at South Wales.

Alexander Cordell Literature Competition 2008 - Children’s Short Story Competition

Entries are invited for the 5th annual Alexander Cordell Literature Competition.

Many of Alexander Cordell’s books feature children working in the coal and iron industries of the South Wales Valleys: Bryn Evans working the family barge on the Neath and Tennant canal and eight year old Iestyn Mortimer going to work at the Garndyrus furnaces are just two youthful heroes in his novels.

For the 5th Alexander Cordell Writing Competition the theme will be to write a children’s story, set during the Industrial Revolution in the South Wales Valleys - the area and period which inspired Alexander Cordell to write his international best seller Rape of the Fair Country.

On my eigth birthday my father put my name on the books of the ironmaster and took me to work at the Garndyrus furnaces....Starting work at eight years old was late to begin a career, for some of the children in town began work at seven, or earlier. Take Sara Roberts  - she was about my age but she had been chipping the rock from the iron vien since she was five, and Ieun Mathers lost one foot under a tram at five and the other when he wa six.

A list of some of the historical sites and attractions in Cordell Country which are featured in Cordell's novels appear below. For further information see the Cordell Country tour guides which provide more detailed information about the area and its links to Cordell's writing.

Aberdulais Falls

Abergavenny Museum & Castle

Big Pit

Blaenafon Community Heritage and Cordell Museum

Blaenavon Ironworks Blaenavon World Heritage Site

Brinore Tramroad Heritage Trail

Clydach Gorge and Ironworks

Cyfarthfa Castle, Museum & Art Gallery

Cynon Valley Museum

Dare Valley Country Park

Garn Lakes Country Park

Goytre Wharf Keeper's Pond & The Blorenge Llanfoist Wharf

Monmouth & Brecon Canal

Nantyglo Round Towers

Neath & Tenant Canal & Ty Banc Canal Cottage

Pontneddfechan (Waterfall walks)

Pontypool Museum

Pontypridd Museum

Rhondda Heritage Park

Sirhowy Ironworks

Trevithick's Tunnel, Merthyr Tydfil

Ynysfach Engine House

1st Prize £500, 2nd Prize £300, 3rd Prize £150 (plus publication)

How to Enter

If you would like a copy of the Cordell Country Literature Competition entry form simply click here to download a PDF version of the form or email us with your details.

NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader to view/print the competition entry form. This comes as standard on most machines. If you have any problems opening the PDF file you can download Adobe Reader FREE of charge from http://www.adobe.com.

Attach your completed entry form to your manuscript with payment and send to:

The Alexander Cordell Literature Prize Competition 2008, Tourist Information Centre, Blaenavon Ironworks, North Street, Blaenavon.

Closing date for entries is 30th May 2008

Email us:
blaenavon.ironworks@btopenworld.com

Rules

Entry:

1. Entries must be the original, unpublished work of the author and no more than 1500 words.

2. Entries must be typed in double-spacing on one side of A4 paper only.

3. Entries must be in English.

4. All entries are judged anonymously. No covering letter or other material should be enclosed with your entry. The name of the entrant must not appear on the manuscript which should be firmly attached to the entry form.

5. Entries will only be accepted when accompanied by an entry form (forms may be photocopied) and £3 entry fee.

6. Cheques and postal orders in sterling only should be made payable to Torfaen County Borough Council.

7. No entries can be returned.

8. Receipt of your entry will only be acknowledged if a SAE marked ACKNOWLEDGEMENT is enclosed.

Judging:

1. The competition deadline is 31 May 2008.

2. The winners will be decided by a panel of judges. Their decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into regarding that decision. The organisers reserve the right to change the panel of judges without notice and not to award prizes if in the opinion of the judges such action is justified.

3. The list of prizewinners will be placed on this website. If you wish to receive a list of prizewinners enclose a separate stamped addressed envelope marked PRIZEWINNERS.

4. Winners will be announced in July 2008. All winners will be personally notified by July 2008. Winning manuscripts will be published on the Cordell Country website www.cordellcountry.org and in other suitable tourist/ travel media as appropriate.

Copyright:

Copyright will remain with the competitor, but the authors of the winning entries will grant Cordell Country the right to publish or broadcast manuscripts for one year from 30th July 2008. Other use of the manuscript during this period will be subject to the permission of Cordell Country organisers. Submission of an entry implies the competitor's acceptance of the conditions detailed here.

We would like to thank our supporters: Capital Region Tourism, Academi, Blaenavon Book Town and the County and Borough Councils of Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen, South Wales Argus, Mike Buckingham, Richard Frame, Alan Matthews and Chris Barber (Blorenge Books)

‘The work of Alexander Cordell - and the passion for the valleys around Blaenavon that he displayed in his writing - is clearly a continuing inspiration to others. I’m sure that the Cordell Writing Competition can now go on to become one of the premier writing prizes in the UK.’  Frank Barrett, Travel Editor The Mail On Sunday