As part of activities during 2023 to celebrate First Story’s milestone 15th birthday, we launched a unique literary auction on 9 October, Six Word Stories. Featuring handwritten, signed and framed stories by a collection of acclaimed authors, the public auction ran online until 2 November. With huge thanks to everyone who placed a bid, our …
‘First Story is 15’ party highlights
On 2 November 2023 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, First Story celebrated reaching a milestone birthday. Our party and fundraiser ‘First Story is 15’ was hosted by First Story Ambassador Tracy Chevalier and attended by writers, friends and supporters.
Announcing: Folio Prize Mentorships 2023/24
In its sixth year, the Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme pairs six talented First Story alumni with acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy, receiving a year of 1:1 mentoring support to further develop their writing craft.
Why six words?
First Story recently challenged best-selling and prize-winning authors, including Michael Morpurgo, Neil Gaiman, Elif Shafak, our Ambassador, Tracy Chevalier and many others, to pen original six-word stories. The handwritten stories, each one signed by its author and professionally framed, are being auctioned during October to raise vital funds for our mission. Six Word Stories auction …
Six Word Stories auction to raise vital funds for First Story
A collection of acclaimed and best-selling authors have written original six word stories to be auctioned in aid of First Story. The unique literary auction Six Word Stories runs online from 9 October to 2 November. Proceeds will support aspiring young writers to develop their voice, hone their writing craft, and have their work professionally …
Summer Residential 2023 highlights
Thirteen young writers from First Story partner schools across England came together for a week in July at Arvon’s Lumb Bank centre in rural West Yorkshire.
It All Started in the Library at The Bulwell Academy
Joel Hunt, school librarian at The Bulwell Academy in Nottingham, has come to the end of his first year as the school’s lead for the First Story Young Writers Programme. Working with First Story Writer-in-Residence Paula Rawsthorne, young writers have participated in workshops, school visits and competitions. Joel describes the impact for students and the …
Writers-in-Residence Skills Share Day 2023
On Tuesday 5th September, 25 First Story writers attended our annual Skills Share Day at our Webber Street office in London. We were pleased to welcome writers new to First Story including Freddie Machin, Ruth Awolola, Sarah Hussain and Arji Manuelpillai who we hope to place in residencies this year along with more experienced writers …
Summer 2023 anthology launch events
All First Story groups work collaboratively towards publication of a printed anthology. Empowered with agency throughout the process, participants choose which pieces to include — learning how to edit, revise and improve their own writing — and together decide their anthology’s title and cover art. Copies are gifted to participants and the school’s library, with …
London Connect 2023
120 students – Year 7 to Year 12 – from eight London schools took part in our Connect event at the University of Greenwich in June 2023. Connect events are included in our offer for Young Writers Programme cohorts. As region-specific provision, these events encourage participants to connect with each other as a community of …
Her Majesty The Queen celebrates First Story’s 15th birthday
Her Majesty, who became First Story’s Patron in 2011, held a reception at Clarence House on 11 July to celebrate 15 years of our work empowering young people with the confidence and skills to tell their own stories. During the reception, The Queen met First Story guests including programme alumni, writers, teachers, supporters and trustees. …
Eco-poetry competition winners 2023
The environment is always something which comes up in our school anthologies, so we know it is something which means a great deal to a great number of First Story young writers. The entries to this year’s Eco Poetry competition were testament to this, as they were as evocative and thought provoking as ever.
School Writing Trail with Manchester City of Literature
19 pieces from six schools at Manchester Connect featured in Manchester UNESCO City of Literature writing trail
100 Word Story Competition Winners 2023
The entries for this year’s 100-Word Story Competition were as vibrant and thought-provoking as ever. Judges have now selected winners.
Manchester Connect event
95 students from six local schools took part in our first Manchester Connect event, with Manchester University’s Centre for New Writing, MMU’s Poetry Library, and Manchester UNESCO City of Literature.
15th birthday ‘tombola poem’
Attendees at our 2023 Young Writers Festival contributed a line each to create an epic poem in celebration of First Story’s 15th birthday.
Eco-poetry Competition now open for 2023
Could your students write a winning poem about the natural world? Our Eco-poetry Competition is now open to all students at First Story partner schools. Your Writer-in-Residence can help shortlist three entries for submission to the national competition. Submissions close at 5pm Friday 26th May 2023, so encourage your students to get writing! Visit the …
First Story bursary opportunities announced for PGCert at University of Cambridge
For the fifth year running, First Story are collaborating with the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education to offer a bursary opportunity for those applying for the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing course. Open to those working in state-funded or non-profit organisations such as state schools, public libraries, local authorities, health or prison …
Inspiring First Story students to write about a positive future
Y9 First Story students took part in an Authors Day on Friday 24 February, writing about what they want for a positive future
Working with First Story: a librarian’s perspective
Dianne Blashill, School Librarian at Co-op Academy Grange, reflects on her experience of working with First Story.
Six Word Story 2022 winner, national finalists and special mentions announced
Our annual Six Word Story competition is open to all First Story participating schools. From a shortlist of excellent stories, the editors at Penguin Random House picked this year’s winner.
100 Word Story Competition now open for 2023
Could your students write a captivating story in just 100 words? Judged by literary experts at Vintage, our 100 Word Story Competition is now open to all students at First Story partner schools. Your Writer-in-Residence can help shortlist three entries for submission to the national competition. Submissions close at 5pm Monday 6 March 2023, so …
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2022/23
In its sixth year, the Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme pairs six talented First Story alumni with acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy, receiving a year of 1:1 mentoring support to further develop their writing craft.
Passing the Parcel at The Portico Library
Thirteen young writers from First Story partner schools across England came together for a week in July at Arvon’s Lumb Bank centre in rural West Yorkshire.
