ICONIC Hay-on-Wye bookseller Richard Booth’s Bookshop and leading Welsh publisher Seren are joining forces to showcase Welsh literary talent in an innovative partnership which sees two independents working together to present first rate writing to readers in a book lover's paradise.

The initiative will see Booth’s devote a significant area in-store to displaying Seren titles. Dubbed the ‘Seren Island’, it has room for more than 500 books

Seren’s remit is to promote English-language writing from Wales, and its broad list includes poetry, fiction, biography, art, criticism, current affairs and general interest titles. The Seren Island will be sited on the first floor, adjacent to Booth’s existing literature, poetry and Anglo-Welsh sections.

Booth’s will also host a series of readings, talks and workshops by Seren authors. And Mavis Nicholson opens Hay Festival Winter Weekend on Friday, November 28 talking to Francine Stock about her book What Did You Do in the War, Mummy?, and discussing her long and celebrated career as an interviewer.

The appointment of a Seren writer-in-residence at Booth’s is scheduled for early spring 2015.