The Wales Book of the Year is a Welsh literary award given annually to the best Welsh and English language works in the fields of fiction and literary criticism by Welsh or Welsh interest authors. Established in 1992, the awards are currently administered by Literature Wales, and supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Books Council.
The longlist of ten works in each language is published in April and the shortlist of three works in each language at the Hay Festival in May. The winners are announced in June or July. Since 2006, the winners have each received £10,000. From 2007, four runners-up (two in each language) also each receive £1000. In 2009, Media Wales sponsored a voted "People's Choice" award for the English-language works.
The format was again changed in 2012, expanding the entries to three categories, fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry; with English and Welsh language winners in each field.
Regarding eligibility, the competition specifically excludes self-published authors. The Welsh national book award therefore differs from Ireland’s national book award, since the latter does not preclude self-published titles from being nominated.
Book of the Year
2016: Thomas Morris We Don’t Know What We’re Doing
2015: Patrick McGuinness Other People's Countries (Jonathan Cape)
2014 Owen Sheers 'Pink Mist'
2013: Rhian Edwards Clueless Dogs
2012: Patrick McGuinness The Last Hundred Days (Seren)
2011: John Harrison Cloud Road (Parthian)
2010: Philip Gross I Spy Pinhole Eye (Cinnamon Press)
2009: Deborah Kay Davies Grace, Tamar and Laszlo the Beautiful (Parthian Books)
2008: Dannie Abse The Presence (Hutchinson)
2007: Lloyd Jones Mr Cassini (Seren)
2006: Robert Minhinnick To Babel and Back (Seren)
2005: Owen Sheers The Dust Diaries (Faber and Faber)
2004: Niall Griffiths Stump (Jonathan Cape)
2003: Charlotte Williams Sugar and Slate (Planet)
2002: Stevie Davies The Element of Water (The Women’s Press)
2001: Stephen Knight Mr Schnitzel (Viking)
2000: Sheenagh Pugh Stonelight (Seren)
1999: Emyr Humphreys The Gift of a Daughter (Seren)
1998: Mike Jenkins Wanting to Belong (Seren)
1997: Siân James Not Singing Exactly (Honno)
1996: Nigel Jenkins Gwalia in Khasia (Gomer)
1995: Duncan Bush Masks (Seren)
1994: Paul Ferris Caitlin: The Life of Caitlin Thomas (Hutchinson)
1993: Robert Minhinnick Watching the Fire Eater (Seren)
1992: Emyr Humphreys Bonds of Attachment (Macdonald/Sphere)
Creative Non-fiction
2016: Jasmine Donahaye Losing Israel (Seren)
2014: Meic Stephens Rhys Davies: A Writer's Life
2012: Richard Gwyn The Vagabond's Breakfast (Alcemi)
Roland Mathias Poetry Award
2016 Philip Gross - Love Songs of Carbon (Bloodaxe Books)
2015 Tiffany Atkinson - So Many Moving Parts (Bloodaxe Books)
2014 Owen Sheers - Pink Mist (Faber & Faber)
2012 Gwyneth Lewis - Sparrow Tree (Bloodaxe Books)
Fiction
2016: Caryl Lewis Y Bwthyn
2015: Gareth F. Williams Awst yn Anogia (Gwasg Gwynedd)
2014: Ioan Kidd Dewis (Gomer)
2013: Heini Gruffudd, Yr Erlid
2012: Jon Gower, Y Storiwr (Gomer)
2011: Ned Thomas, Bydoedd (Y Lolfa)
2010: John Davies, Cymru: Y 100 lle i'w gweld cyn marw (Y Lolfa)
2009: Wiliam Owen Roberts Petrograd (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
2008: Gareth Miles Y Proffwyd a'l Ddwy Jesebel (Hutchinson)
2007: Llwyd Owen Ffydd Gobaith Cariad (Y Lolfa)
2006: Rhys Evans Gwynfor: Rhag Pob Brad (Y Lolfa)
2005: Caryl Lewis Martha, Jac a Sianco (Y Lolfa)
2004: Jerry Hunter Llwch Cenhedloedd (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
2003: Angharad Price O! Tyn y Gorchudd (Gomer)
2002: Grahame Davies Cadwyni Rhyddid (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
2001: Owen Martell Cadw dy ffydd, brawd (Gomer)
2000: Gwyneth Lewis Y Llofrudd Iaith (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
1999: R. M. Jones Ysbryd y Cwlwm: Delwedd y Genedl yn ein Llenyddiaeth (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru)
1998: Iwan Llwyd Dan Ddylanwad (Gwasg Tâf)
1997: Gerwyn Wiliams Tir Neb: Rhyddiaith Gymraeg a’r Rhyfel Byd Cyntaf (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru)
1996: Sonia Edwards Glöynnod (Gwasg Gwynedd)
1995: Aled Islwyn Unigolion, Unigeddau (Gomer)
1994: T. Robin Chapman W.J. Gruffydd (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru)
1993: Robin Llywelyn Seren Wen ar Gefndir Gwyn (Gomer)
1992: Gerallt Lloyd Owen Cilmeri (Gwasg Gwynedd)
Creative non-fiction
2016: Gruffydd Aled Williams Dyddiau Olaf Owain Glyndŵr (Y Lolfa)
2014: Alan Llwyd Bob: Cofiant R. Williams Parry 1884 – 1956 (Gomer)
2012: Allan James John Morris-Jones
Roland Mathias Poetry Award
2016: Mererid Hopwood Nes Draw (Gwasg Gomer)
2014: Christine James Rhwng y Llinellau (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas)
2012: Karen Owen Siarad Trwy’i Het
