Lucent Dreaming Publishes Maps & Rooms, an Anthology of Writing from Wales by the Representing Wales 2021-22 Cohort

Maps & Rooms: Writing from Wales is an anthology of writing from across Wales that reveals a long and layered relationship with place. The writing featured is by participants in Literature Wales’ Representing Wales 2021-22 programme, showcasing the excellent voices of individuals who have spent the past year honing their skills and gaining a unique insight into the publishing industry.  

Maps & Rooms is the first book from Cardiff-based publisher Lucent Dreaming, which has previously published its own independent magazine since it was founded in 2018. The anthology reflects Lucent Dreaming’s mission of championing emerging talent.  

Umulkhayr Mohamed, who co-introduces the book, said:

“Maps are, in their simplest sense, the evidence of an exercise in tracing space driven by discovery. Rooms function as containers of precious things, of lives lived, the everyday, and the potential of consistent comfort, so long as the circumstances allow.”

Representing Wales is Literature Wales’ year-long professional development programme for writers. The programme aims to improve representation within the literature sector in Wales by providing mentorship, training opportunities, and a financial award to authors from underrepresented backgrounds. Representing Wales is an important step towards Literature Wales’ aim of developing a literary sector that supports equal access for all by addressing historical and structural inequalities and platforming diverse voices.  

Literature Wales will continue working with all of the writers beyond the 12-month programme by offering further mentoring, championing their work, and identifying relevant creative and professional opportunities.  Representing Wales is funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales. 

You can learn more about the Representing Wales 2021-22 cohort here. 

Maps & Rooms: Writing from Wales was published on 14 June 2022, and launched at Literature Wales’ event, Singing the Sun in Flight, at The Pierhead, Cardiff Bay. The event saw Literature Wales launch a series of events celebrating poetry at the Senedd, with performances by Nia Morais, Taz Rahman, and Durre Shahwar, members of the Representing Wales cohort; Casi Wyn, Bardd Plant Cymru; and speeches by First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, Literature Wales’ Joint Interim CEOs Leusa Llewelyn and Claire Furlong, and Literature Wales’ Chair and Deputy Chair Cathryn Charnell-White and Natalie Jerome.  

Maps & Rooms can be ordered from the Lucent Dreaming website now.