Rhian is a multi-award winning poet. Her first collection of poems Clueless Dogs (Seren 2012) won Wales Book of the Year 2013, the Roland Mathias Prize for Poetry 2013 and Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice 2013. It was also shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection 2012.
Rhian’s second full collection The Estate Agent’s Daughter (Seren 2020) was a National Poetry Day Recommended Read for 2020.
Rhian also has two pamphlets of poems Parade the Fib, (Tall-Lighthouse 2008), which was awarded the Poetry Book Society Choice for autumn 2008. Brood (Seren 2017) is an illustrated pamphlet of bird poems, containing beautiful and original charcoal magpie drawings by artist Paul Edwards.
Rhian is also the current winner of the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry, winning both the Judges and Audience award. She was also the first Writer in Residence at Aberystwyth Arts Centre from March to June 2013.
Rhian’s poems have appeared in the Guardian, Times Literary Supplement, Poetry Review, New Statesman, Spectator, Poetry London, Poetry Wales, Arete, Prague Revue, the London Magazine, Stand, Planet Magazine, the New Welsh Review and the Lampeter Review.
Rhian is a poet and musician and has delivered over 400 stage, radio and festival performances world-wide. She lives in South Wales with her daughter Megan.
POETRY AT THE MILL, TALGARTH
THURSDAY, 29TH JAN 2026
Venue: The Mill
Time:7PM (Arrive from 6pm to purchase Tapas and drinks from Trigg’s at the Mill, with the main event starting at 7pm)
Cost: £12/Concessions/ students £8.
This will include readings by two Welsh poets:
Rhian Edwards (pictured), winner of Wales Book of the Year and Shortlisted for the Forward Prize Best First Collection
Marvin Thompson (pictured), winner of the National Poetry Competition
SHORT COURSE: GENTLE BOOTCAMP POETRY WITH ZOE BRIGLEY & RHIAN EDWARDS:
REFINING YOUR PAMPHLET OR FULL COLLECTION (SOLD OUT)
MONDAY 3rd AUGUST TO TO THUSDAY 6th AUGUST 2024
Do you have a poetry pamphlet or full collection nearly ready, but still feel it needs refining before you send it out into the world? This course is designed for poets at that exact stage, whether you’re writing your debut collection or you’re already a veteran.
Zoë Brigley and Rhian Edwards, co-editors of Seren Books, work with poets at all stages who want to give their work the final polish it deserves in a supportive and encouraging environment. The Gentle Poetry Boot Camp combines the focus of a writing retreat with the warmth of a creative community. Every day, you’ll join workshops led by Zoë and Rhian, exploring ways to strengthen your poems’ shape, voice, and emotional clarity. Afternoons are for one-to-one tutorials, writing time, and reflection, with space to work intensively but gently: no competition, just good work and good company.
By the end of the week, you’ll have renewed confidence in your manuscript, a clearer sense of its arc and coherence, and a set of poems ready to meet their readers.
This course is best suited to poets who have a pamphlet or collection in progress and are seeking thoughtful feedback and finishing guidance rather than a full introduction to writing poetry.
Over the week, you will:
• Work through any poems that are worrying you or don’t quite seem to be working
• Use one-to-one tutorials to look closely at individual poems or to discuss your publishing journey, ambitions, and next steps
• Take dedicated time for focused writing, reflection, and careful attention to the craft of your poetry
• Share your work with other poets in a supportive and nurturing environment, benefiting from feedback and conversation
You’ll leave the week with renewed confidence, a polished manuscript, and practical tools for taking your work forward.
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