Montgomery - News

Cari Davies’ debut novel ‘On the Border’, described by one reviewer as "a love letter to the landscape of the Welsh heart", has been entered by its publishers for Wales Book of the Year 2022. 

This annual literary award celebrates the best creative writing and literary criticism in both Welsh and English, with a Welsh theme or a Welsh writer. There are four categories: poetry, creative fiction, creative nonfiction, and children and young people. The 2021 overall winner was ‘Salt’ by Catrin Kean.

A short-list will be drawn up in the spring of three books in each category, from which winners will be announced in the summer. All shortlisted books will be eligible for the Independent People's Choice awards which also runs annually and will see its winner announced in the summer. 

Cari Davies is the pen name of Sheila Hawdon who grew up in Montgomery, and chose to use her Welsh maiden name as she embarked on her career as an author. Her Welsh family, and the community and town of Montgomery, were the springboard for her imagination during the writing of ‘On the Border’. 

Sheila says of the nomination, “It’s nice of my publishers to do this for me and to have my book considered. Thanks to everyone in Montgomery for their support, and wish me luck!”   

Sheila is currently in Australia, with hopes to return to Wales when covid restrictions are lifted. ‘On the Border’ can be purchased from Cambria Publishing, Wales, as well as being on Amazon and Kindle, and available to bookstores through Ingram - so you can also call into Montgomery Bookshop (Eaves & Lord) to order it.