Adel Guemar hopes the book will promote understanding

An award-winning Algerian journalist is one of many contributors to a new book penned by refugees and asylum seekers now living in south Wales.

Adel Guemar and his fellow writers hope by putting pen to paper they will dispel some of the stereotypes and myths surrounding their arrival.

Here, he is able to write without fear of censorship or retribution, something he says he was unable to do at home.

This book is written by people who come from all over the world and I think it can only enrich the cultural life in Swansea, south Wales and further a field.   Adel Guemar

Some of his work is appearing in the book Nobody's Perfect which is being launched in Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre on Wednesday.

It is the second volume to be published by the Swansea Bay Asylum Seekers Support Group and follows on from last year's Between a Mountain and a Sea.

Mr Guemar says he hopes it will lead to greater acceptance and understanding of people who have come to Wales after being forced to flee their own countries.

"A lot of people believe asylum seekers are here for economic reasons but in fact it's well documented the majority are here for political reasons," he explained.

"This book is written by people who come from all over the world and I think it can only enrich the cultural life in Swansea, south Wales and further a field.

Freedom

"The fact that it is going to held in the Dylan Thomas Centre - a poet everyone recognises around the world - is significant.

"If Dylan Thomas was still alive today I'm sure that it is something he would have been happy to contribute."

Mr Guemar has written poems and short stories using his feelings and experiences of the way Algeria is now governed.

"Writing here has allowed me to free myself from repression," he said.

"It is very important for a writer to enjoy freedom and not have censorship as in my own country and intellectual repression."

Contributors have been drawn from Swansea, Cardiff and Newport for the book.

Anahita Alkikhani took up writing after arriving in Swansea

Anahita Alkikhani is an Iranian filmmaker who had not done any writing before arriving in Swansea two and a half years ago.

"Having a piece published last year really encouraged me to write more," she said.

She said it had given confidence to express her feelings and opinions and her latest work pokes fun at the way the asylum issue is portrayed in the media.

"They think many people come here because of economic reasons or because they have better opportunities here.

"The media never try to shows the other side of the coin - they have just created labels.

"The good point is when you meet people face to face they really want to know what's happening to you, to know you and know why you have come here - not what they see on the news."

Co-editor of the book Tom Cheeseman hopes it will become an annual publication.

Last year's print run of 1,500 sold out. Money raised went towards funding the group's three drop in centres in Swansea and the same will happen this year.