New Welsh Review
‘New Welsh Review is essential reading for anybody interested in writing and culture in Wales and beyond. It has ambition, range, passion and thoroughness and is quite simply a must-read. Don’t be without it.’
– Gwyneth Lewis
‘From the striking design of the front cover to the evocative poem at the back, New Welsh Review is thoughtful, insightful, and, truly, a pleasure to read.’ – Abeer Ameer
‘New Welsh Review is a vibrant and essential publication for anyone who loves the culture of Wales. The careers and development of so many Welsh writers, and the joy of so many books from Wales, would be unthinkable, without the rich opportunities this magazine provides. Beautifully curated and produced, each issue is a celebration and an inspiration. Long may it thrive!’ – Jonathan Edwards
Founded in 1988, New Welsh Review is Wales’ foremost literary magazine in English. For over thirty years, it has been central to the Welsh literary scene in offering a vital outlet for the very best new fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry, a forum for critical debate and a rigorous and engaged reviewing culture. Today, New Welsh Review holds true to its original mission statement: to be dynamic, curious, lively and outward-looking, to commemorate the past but to celebrate contemporary excellence and new directions.
CONTENTS:
Editorial: Susie Wild
Spotlight: Odette Debono’s debut memoir White Sheep tells tales of an unreachable girl born into the narrow dockland streets of late-sixties Newport.
In Conversation: Alex Hubbard & Amy Grandvoinet
An abridged live transcript from the launch of Alex Hubbard’s gothic debut novel, Storm, in Aberystwyth.
ESSAYS:
Muted Neon Dreams (Osaka, Japan)
Elin Gruffydd explores simple beauty, intimacy and femininity, capturing quiet moments in dreamy spaces through the nostalgic lens of film.
For the Thrill of It
Carole Burns on the mysteries of masterful storytelling in new fiction from Fflur Dafydd, Tristan Hughes and Cynan Jones.
In Translation: Slate Gods
Angharad Price finds new powers in disobedience on a fifteen-minute walk around the block with her father.
The Rheidol Prize Shortlist: Hon Oedd Fy Ninas (This Was My City)
Potter and allotment gardener Louise Denham explores the virtuous and ominous sides of water, from building healthy soils to rising sea levels, asking what lessons can be learnt from our present-day efforts to tackle the climate and nature emergency.
The Garden is This Garden
Catrin Menai explores absence and renewal through the lens of mothering and ecological restoration.
¡Ojalá!
Lewis Davies seeks the human side of politics in three recent memoirs from Chris Bryant, Nicola Sturgeon and Simon Hart.
FICTION:
Tide Diana Powell
The Escape Keza O’Neill
In Translation: Mum from the future Markéta Pilátová (trans. Isabel Stainsby)
POETRY:
Endangered Jessica Mookherjee
Moonstripe Stephen Payne
Drive Safe Natasha Gauthier
Case Study: Hirtles Beach, Nova Scotia Emily Vanderploeg
Cover art: ‘Proper Treats’ by Zena Blackwell
Design: Olwen Fowler
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Editor Profile
Susie Wild is the editor of New Welsh Review. #138 (Summer 2025) is her inaugural issue. She is also Parthian’s publishing editor, specialising in poetry and fiction. Starting with us in 2007, she has since worked with many wonderful writers and translators including Julia Bell, Zoë Brigley, Mari Ellis Dunning, Rhian Elizabeth, Amaia Gabantxo, Richard Gwyn, Natalie Ann Holborow, Rae Howells, Tristan Hughes, Patrick Jones, Lloyd Markham, Miren Agur Meabe and Richard Owain Roberts. Following an MA in Creative Writing from Swansea University and an MA in Journalism from Goldsmiths, Susie has built a portfolio career in the arts as a journalist, festival and events organiser, performer, editor and university lecturer. She is the author of two poetry collections (Windfalls and Better Houses), the short story collection The Art of Contraception, listed for the Edge Hill Prize, and the novella Arrivals.
Contact Susie: editor.newwelshreview@gmail.com
Brief History:
Founded in 1988 as the successor to The Welsh Review (1939–1948), Dock Leaves and The Anglo-Welsh Review (1949–1987), New Welsh Review is Wales’ foremost literary magazine in English.
New Welsh Review has published some of the greatest writers and thinkers from Wales and beyond; Dannie Abse, Paul Muldoon, P.D. James, Emyr Humphreys, Leslie Norris, Gwyneth Lewis, Les Murray, Rachel Trezise, Niall Griffiths, Owen Sheers, Tiffany Murray, Christopher Meredith, Edna Longley, Byron Rogers and Gillian Clarke.
New Welsh Review is published with support from The Borzello Trust, Rheidol Trust and Books Council of Wales with thanks to Richard Powell and Bob Borzello.
Submissions:
We are open to submissions of creative non-fiction, short stories, poetry, review essays and photo essays on a rolling basis.
For our review essays, we want incisive, engaging and innovative essays of critical interest in the study and discussion of Welsh writing in English (particularly the latest generation of writers) or contemporary European literature in translation in English. These pieces should be between 2500 and 6000 words and focus on two to three books of any vintage.
For consideration for our guest poet spot please send six poems in one document along with a short bio. Please include your name in the title of your email attachment. If you would like to nominate a new or emerging poet to be a guest poet, drop us an email with a link to their work and why you think we should feature them.
Our 'In Conversation' slot is also open for pitches of collaborations, interviews (written and live event transcripts) and other interpretations.
Current flat rate fees: £150 for nonfiction / review essay pieces of around 2500-6000 words, £100 for short stories of around 2500-6000 words. Photography, In Conversation and poetry rates on application.
Our New Welsh Writing Awards will take a break in 2026.
Get in touch: newwelshreview.submissions@gmail.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
