Cardiff opera singer wins prestigious writing award
Rosie Rowell was announced as the 2025 winner of the Women's Prize Trust's Discoveries Award for her unpublished novel-in-progress, "Down by the Stryth."
The atmospheric thriller, inspired by the Bolton Strid, explores dysfunctional family relationships, generational trauma, and the complexities of womanhood.
Ms Rowell, who studied English Literature at Durham University, will receive a £5,000 cash prize and an offer of representation from Curtis Brown literary agency.
Ms Rowell said: "Winning Discoveries has felt surreal and extraordinary.
"Knowing that the judges see promise in the story I've worked so hard on and loved so deeply is incredibly encouraging."
The Discoveries programme aims to find and support aspiring female novelists from across the UK and Ireland.
Since its launch in 2020, the programme has inspired thousands of women to share their writing for the first time, receiving over 13,000 novels-in-progress.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Cardiff opera singer wins prestigious writing award
Rosie Rowell was announced as the 2025 winner of the Women's Prize Trust's Discoveries Award for her unpublished novel-in-progress, "Down by the Stryth." The atmospheric thriller, inspired by the Bolton Strid, explores dysfunctional family relationships, generational trauma, and the complexities of womanhood. Ms Rowell, who studied English Literature at Durham University, will receive a £5,000 cash prize and an offer of representation from Curtis Brown literary agency. Ms Rowell said: "Winning Discoveries has felt surreal and extraordinary. "Knowing that the judges see promise in the story I've worked so hard on and loved so deeply is incredibly encouraging." The Discoveries programme aims to find and support aspiring female novelists from across the UK and Ireland. Since its launch in 2020, the programme has inspired thousands of women to share their writing for the first time, receiving over 13,000 novels-in-progress.
Graziadaily
4 days ago
- Graziadaily
Elf Have Acquired Hailey Bieber's Brand Rhode For $1 billion
Yesterday, there was beauty news that broke the internet: e.l.f. Beauty is officially acquiring Hailey Bieber's beauty brand Rhode - via a jaw-dropping $1 billion deal. Yes, one billion. Within beauty circles there's long been whispers of Rhode's industry-shaking potential. Hailey's impressive influence as a tastemaker across skincare and make-up had catapulted Rhode into cult status practically overnight - it was only founded in 2022, after all. Our beauty writer, Sameeha Shaikh, has tried each and every Rhode product, and confirms it's a brand worth its salt - she swears by its efficacious formulas and Insta-feed-worthy packaging. And who could forget the lip balm phone case that reached viral status? For beauty giant e.l.f. Beauty? The move to acquire Rhode makes perfect sense. e.l.f already owns Keys Soulcare and Naturium, and of course, their eponymous e.l.f. Cosmetics which is known for its affordability. The cultural clout of Rhode combined with e.l.f's impressive business acumen? A beauty match made in heaven. Hailey Bieber attends the Rhode UK launch party Of the acquisition, Bieber took to Instagram to issue a statement: 'I launched @rhode in 2022, I always had big dreams for the company, and the most important thing to me is to keep bringing rhode to more spaces, places, and faces globally. So today I am so incredibly excited and proud to announce that we are partnering with e.l.f. Beauty as we step into this next chapter in the world of rhode. I found a like-minded disruptor with a vision to be a different kind of company that believes in big ideas and innovation in the same way that I do and will help us continue to grow the brand. I feel invigorated, excited and more ready than ever to step into an even bigger role as Chief Creative Officer, and Head of Innovation of rhode as well as strategic advisor to e.l.f. Beauty. Thank you to the amazing rhode team who have helped me build over the years. I couldn't have done it without all of you. And to our rhode community, thank you for being the most supportive and for being on this journey, this next chapter is going to be even more incredible together!' Bieber's plans to remain at the heart of Rhode are clear, with fellow make-up maven Gucci Westman among the first to share her congratulations. What's next for Rhode? Watch this space... Has Rhode Been Sold To ELF? Yes, on the 28th of May 2025 it was announced that e.l.f. had acquired Hailey Bieber's Rhode for 3 billion dollars. Does Hailey Bieber still own Rhode? While e.l.f now own Rhode, Hailey will take on the position of Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation. Is Hailey Bieber the CEO of Rhode? e.l.f. Beauty Chairman and CEO Tarang Amin is likely to be Rhode's official CEO now, while Hailey Bieber will continue as founder. She will also take on the position of Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation. Rachael Martin is Grazia's Beauty Editor. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen's University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism. After interning at Stylist and Harper's Bazaar she dipped her toes into the world of beauty writing and never looked back. Follow her on Instagram @ Main image credit: Instagram @HaileyBieber
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
You have an 86% chance of passing your English exam if you can answer this tough Macbeth GCSE question
DESPITE calls from some to scrap Shakespeare from schools, the Bard's work remains, including with this tough GCSE question. Those who can get this GCSE question about the tragic Scottish play, Macbeth correct have an 86 percent chance of passing their English exam. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Could you answer this English Literature exam question? Credit: Getty As part of the English Literature GCSE, students are given an extract from the play with some accompanying questions. In this instance, the extract is from Act 1, Scene 7 where Lady Macbeth is questioning her husband's masculinity and his commitment to following through with his plan to murder King Duncan and assume the throne. The extract MACBETH We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honoured me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. LADY MACBETH Was the hope drunk? Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time, Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting I dare not wait upon I would, Like the poor cat i'th'adage? MACBETH Prithee, peace. I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more is none. LADY MACBETH What beast was't then That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man. And to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. Nor time, nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. They have made themselves and that their fitness now Does unmake you. I have given suck and know How tender 'tis to love the babe that milks me: I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn As you have done to this. 10 Celebrities Who Turned Exam Failures Into Massive Success MACBETH If we should fail? LADY MACBETH We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we'll not fail. The question The GCSE question reads: "Starting with this extract, how does Lady Macbeth use language to manipulate her husband in the play?" Students are then asked to write about how Lady Macbeth "persuades him to her point of view" and "how she uses her powers of persuasion in the rest of the play." Things to consider before coming up with your answer One of the first things to do when trying to formulate a response, is to take a close look at the question, such as what are the key words? You must also consider at what point in the play the conversation takes place and the impact it has on Macbeth and his future actions. It is also important to take into consideration Lady Macbeth's status and ability to persuade throughout the play. Breaking down Lady Macbeth's language Now it's time to go back and look more closely at what Lady Macbeth is saying, including how she uses her close relationship to Macbeth as a weapon. In these three rhetorical questions, "Was the hope drunk/Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since?" Lady Macbeth assaults a self-doubting Macbeth with an intense interrogation, barely giving him time to respond. She also uses very emotive language such as "love" to highlight the couple's bond and labels Macbeth a "coward" to wound his pride. Lady Macbeth then deals a double blow to her husband's pride when she questions his masculinity by saying, "When you durst do it, then you were a man. / And to be more than what you were, you would / Be so much more the man." The noble woman also points out that if Macbeth wants to make a move on the throne, the time to strike would be in that moment because, "They have made themselves," and he need to take advantage of the opportunity. She once again uses highly emotive language by saying she would be prepared to kill her own child, when she says "dashed the brains out," sending a message to Macbeth that she is more brave and more committed to their murderous plan. Lady Macbeth dismisses Macbeth when he raises concerns about a potential failure and tells him "we'll not fail," so long as he remains steadfast. Writing the answer Now that it's time to put your thoughts into words, constructing a great answer is critical. Begin with an introduction and context to the extract in question, including what the Macbeths have planned to do, what do we know about the characters at this point in the play and why Macbeth is showing hesitance about killing Duncan. Once your intro is written, move on to explaining Lady Macbeth's ability to persuade her husband to go ahead with their plan. The next part of your answer should include how her power of persuasion affects Macbeth and the audience. It is important to also provide context about Lady Macbeth and how else she uses persuasion throughout the play. Finally, in your conclusion address what happens after Lady Macbeth convinces her husband to murder Duncan. Assessment objectives In order to get a good result on this exam question, getting the basics such as spelling, punctuation and grammar correct is essential. But examiners will also look at how you develop your own opinions about the text and whether you have a clear understanding of it. Other ways to get top marks is to explain what language Shakespeare has used, and why, but also to what may have motivated him to write this play. 2 The crown worn by actor Michael Fassbender in the film Macbeth (2025) is on display in the 'Macbeth: An Exhibition' at the Perth Museum, Scotland Credit: PA
