[citation needed] His first novel, Ffawd, Cywilydd a Chelwyddau (Fate, Shame & Lies) was published by Y Lolfa in March 2006, and his second, Ffydd Gobaith Cariad (Faith Hope Love) in November 2006.
Critics have said that it goes "beyond normal and safe publishing boundaries" because of its disturbing content, swearing and slang, which was uncommon in Welsh-language literature at the time.
It garnered favourable reviews, with Suzy Ceulan Hughes of the New Welsh Review calling it "deftly plotted and pitch-perfect in its pacing", Time Out Magazine praising it as "an absorbing fable… enjoyable and pacey… providing a thoughtful take on what it means to be alive and how suffering can control and overwhelm you" and The South Wales Argus claiming the author to be "Wales' answer to Irvine Welsh".
His English-language translation of his third novel, Yr Ergyd Olaf, was originally published in serialised form on his website before being released in print under the title The Last Hit.
The main character was inspired by a chance encounter with a Welsh-born member of a biker gang while Owen was living in Mission Beach, Queensland.