These annual publishers’ awards are promoted by Gorsedh Kernow for publications about Cornwall, set in Cornwall or in Cornish (Kernewek). The overall award – the original Holyer an Gof Cup (now given for fiction)- is perpetual, and given in memory of the Cornish publisher, Leonard Truran, carrying forward his bardic name.
Entries for the above awards are invited from November 1st 2023. The closing date is 29th February 2024 Please ensure that you are using the current entry form.
A complete list of entries will be published on this website soon after the end of February 2024.
Entries can only be accepted from publishers and will not be accepted directly from authors unless the publication is self-published. The submission of an author’s work by the publisher will be taken as agreement by the author that s/he is willing for the work to be submitted and considered for an award.
There are six primary classes, five of them with sub-classes. You should enter your publications for the most appropriate class/sub-class but, if in doubt, please contact us and we will provide advice. Contact details are given at the bottom of this page. Books may be entered in only one class/sub-class.
Nominations and winners will be determined for each of the sub-classes, providing there is at least one entry of sufficient quality. There will be no amalgamation of sub-classes for judgement purposes.
Classes for entries
Class 1: | Dyllansow yn Kernewek (Publications in the Cornish language) |
| 1a: | Lyvrow yn Kernewek rag dyskas ( Books in Cornish for teaching ) |
| 1b: | Lyvrow yn Kernewek rag fleghes ( Books in Cornish for children ) |
| 1c: | Lyvrow yn Kernewek rag tevesigyon ha tevesigesow ( Books in Cornish for adults ) |
| 1d: | Lyvrow treylyes yn Kernewek ( Books translated into Cornish ) |
Class 2: | Books for children |
| 2a: | Books for children of primary age |
| 2b. | Books for young adults |
Class 3: | Fiction for adults |
| 3a: | Literary fiction |
| 3b: | General fiction |
Class 4: | Poetry and Drama |
| 4a: | Poetry Includes lyrics |
| 4b: | Drama |
| 4c: | Music. Please note this is a new sub-class for 2023-4 |
Class 5: | Non-fiction for adults |
| 5a: | Social, Cultural and Political History |
| 5b: | Science, Environment and Industrial/Marine |
| 5c: | Leisure and Lifestyle |
| 5d: | Memoir |
Class 6: | Booklets – publications of 80 pages or fewer |
Where a number of entries are on very similar topics we reserve the right to create a special class for one year to ensure that there is fair comparison between the publications. If such a class is created publishers will be contacted.
The evaluation of each publication is carried out by a number of readers. Most are Bards of Gorsedh Kernow, and all are chosen for their expertise and experience.
Anonymous evaluations are submitted to a meeting of all readers, who nominate a selection of publications for possible awards in each class. The nominations will be published on this website soon after the evaluation meeting in June and the winners of each class will be announced at the awards event, together with the winners of the other awards (see below).
The awards evening for publishers and their authors will be held on July 6th. 2024 at Kresen Kernow in Redruth, with an invited guest list. All winners and nominees will receive a Gorsedh Kernow certificate. All publishers submitting books will be invited. Only nominated authors will receive an invitation.
Criteria
- The awards will be made for material first published anywhere during the year 2023 about Cornwall, set in Cornwall or in Kernewek – the Cornish language. Books previously published overseas which have not been entered before, but are published in the United Kingdom for the first time during 2022 are also admissible. Second and subsequent editions will only be considered where the publisher can demonstrate substantial changes, or where an earlier edition was published before the inception of Holyer an Gof Awards in 1996. We do not consider e-books but are happy to accept a print publication formerly published in e-book format.
- The entries should be carefully edited, quality publications.
- The publications should add to the knowledge, enjoyment and appreciation of life, literature or culture in Cornwall.
- Publications may not be entered in more than one class/sub-class.
- The criteria for evaluation of publications are contained in the Guidelines for Readers, which are available on this website.
Details of Entry
Please send two copies of your publications(s) with an entry form(s),
Gareth and Pat Parry
Holyer an Gof Publishers’ Awards
Almora
Coach Lane
Redruth TR15 2TP
Books will not usually be returned, unless you state on your entry form that you will arrange for their collection from Redruth before the end of September 2024, Otherwise, they will be donated to Kresen Kernow or sold to help defray the cost to Gorsedh Kernow of the Scheme.
In case of queries please e-mail enquiries@holyerangofawards.org.uk or ring the organisers on 01209 215917