THE first-ever winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize says the accolade has changed her life.

Rachel Trezise (pictured) scooped the £60,000 prize in 2006.

As well as giving creative writing sessions to students in America, the Rhondda author also tied the knot in Las Vegas.

She said: "The past two years have been a brilliant experience.

"I married my fiance in Las Vegas, and the sessions were eye-opening.

"It was fascinating to sit and talk with students in America about my work.

"All the stories I wrote in Fresh Apples were based within a 10-minute radius of my house in Treorchy. They think the Rhondda is like outer space."

But the cash has also allowed her to dedicate her time to writing the follow-up to 2006's critically acclaimed Fresh Apples.

"It's called Sixteen Shades of Crazy and will be published in 2010," she added.