Wales Book of the Year finalist

Hummingbird, the latest novel by Cardiff University lecturer Dr Tristan Hughes, has made the coveted shortlist for Wales Book of the Year 2018. The book is one of three works selected in the prized Fiction Award category, nominated alongside Crystal Jeans' Light Switches Are My Kryptonite and Lloyd Markham's Bad Ideas/Chemicals . On behalf of the judging panel, broadcaster and author Carolyn Hitt said: "For me the judging process has been challenging and inspiring in equal measures. We had to make some brutal decisions to whittle down our choices. But this is a shortlist that reflects the diversity and quality of Welsh writing in English - from established names at the peak of their powers to the breakthrough of exciting new voices." In his latest novel, Hughes returns to the landscape of his youth in this vivid and poetic coming-of-age story about death, life, and the changes they bring. Set against the harsh, unforgiving beauty of the forests of northern Ontario, Hummingbird unravels a moving tale of loss, absence and redemption. Tristan, part of the School of English, Communication and Philosophy, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled and honoured to be shortlisted for this award.