The world's largest literary prize - the £60,000 ($100,000) Dylan Thomas Prize for young authors - was launched at the start of the 2004 of the Dylan Thomas Festival simultaneously in Swansea and New York. The prize has the backing of Swansea born actress Catherine Zeta-Jones who has agreed to be an international ambassador. 

Rachel Trezise from the Rhondda Valley was the first winner with her collection of short stories Fresh Apples. She collected the prize at an award ceremony in Swansea Brangwyn Hall on 27th October 2006.

One of the shortlisted authors James Scudamore has had his book The Amnesia Clinic shortlisted in the Best First Novel section of the Costa (formerly Whitbread) Prize

Check for details of all the shortlisted books and winner on the Prize's website.