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11th hour decision on Dylan prize 11th hour decision on Dylan prize
(about 4 hours later)
A judge on the first Dylan Thomas prize for young writers - the world's largest literary award - says a decision on the winner is "going to the wire".A judge on the first Dylan Thomas prize for young writers - the world's largest literary award - says a decision on the winner is "going to the wire".
Peter Stead admitted on Friday that the shortlist's quality meant the panel had not yet agreed who would take the prize, hours before the announcement.Peter Stead admitted on Friday that the shortlist's quality meant the panel had not yet agreed who would take the prize, hours before the announcement.
The £60,000 winner is due to be announced in Swansea at 2200 BST.The £60,000 winner is due to be announced in Swansea at 2200 BST.
Six authors are competing for the honour, to be presented on the 94th anniversary of Thomas's birth. Six authors are competing for the honour, to be presented on the 92nd anniversary of Thomas's birth.
The biennial competition is open to anyone under 30 writing in English.The biennial competition is open to anyone under 30 writing in English.
The shortlist features UK writers Rachel Trezise, Nick Laird, James Scudamore and Lucy Caldwell, American Liza Ward and Zimbabwean Ian Holding.The shortlist features UK writers Rachel Trezise, Nick Laird, James Scudamore and Lucy Caldwell, American Liza Ward and Zimbabwean Ian Holding.
The award will be presented by the prize's patron, Dylan Thomas' daughter Aeronwy.The award will be presented by the prize's patron, Dylan Thomas' daughter Aeronwy.
We've had very long judging sessions, but we've still not come to a decision Professor SteadWe've had very long judging sessions, but we've still not come to a decision Professor Stead
Professor Stead, who is the prize's founding chairman, said the award would help put young writers in Wales into an international context.Professor Stead, who is the prize's founding chairman, said the award would help put young writers in Wales into an international context.
He added: "Swansea's been commemorating Dylan Thomas for years in a variety of ways - a festival and various other things.He added: "Swansea's been commemorating Dylan Thomas for years in a variety of ways - a festival and various other things.
"It seemed to me - given Dylan's international reputation and his fame in America, Japan and across the world - this would be a wonderful way for Swansea and for Wales to bring to the attention of the world the number of young good writers in Wales.""It seemed to me - given Dylan's international reputation and his fame in America, Japan and across the world - this would be a wonderful way for Swansea and for Wales to bring to the attention of the world the number of young good writers in Wales."
He praised the "remarkably mature" books on the shortlist and said reaching a decision on the winner would be very difficult.He praised the "remarkably mature" books on the shortlist and said reaching a decision on the winner would be very difficult.
"We've had very long judging sessions," he said."We've had very long judging sessions," he said.
Four of the authors are from the UKFour of the authors are from the UK
"But we've still not come to a decision. We're reconvening at the Dragon Hotel in Swansea at midday for another long session - it's going to the wire.""But we've still not come to a decision. We're reconvening at the Dragon Hotel in Swansea at midday for another long session - it's going to the wire."
Screenwriter Andrew Davies, whose television adaptations include Bleak House and Pride and Prejudice, is chairing the panel of judges.Screenwriter Andrew Davies, whose television adaptations include Bleak House and Pride and Prejudice, is chairing the panel of judges.
He said: "We are all very excited that the time to choose the final winner of the prize is now upon us.He said: "We are all very excited that the time to choose the final winner of the prize is now upon us.
"Judging the EDS Dylan Thomas Prize has been an incredibly enjoyable experience as all of the submitted work has been of an excellent standard."Judging the EDS Dylan Thomas Prize has been an incredibly enjoyable experience as all of the submitted work has been of an excellent standard.
"There are so many creative young writers out there, and I am honoured to be part of a prize which celebrates their talent and encourages them to keep writing.""There are so many creative young writers out there, and I am honoured to be part of a prize which celebrates their talent and encourages them to keep writing."
The ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, will begin at 1900 BST on Friday, with the winner expected to be announced at about 2200 BST.The ceremony at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, will begin at 1900 BST on Friday, with the winner expected to be announced at about 2200 BST.
Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea on 27 October, 1914, and died in New York in 1953.Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea on 27 October, 1914, and died in New York in 1953.
His works included Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog and Under Milk Wood.His works included Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog and Under Milk Wood.