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 …
Huddersfield Connect 2023
35 students from three schools took part in our Yorkshire Connect event at the University of Huddersfield in July 2023. Students from Co-op Academy Grange, Titus Salt School and Carlton Keighley attended our Connect Event, hosted by the University of Huddersfield. First Story writers, Ross Raisin, Maria Ferguson and Sairish Hussain led creative writing workshops for …
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 …
Folio mentorships 2023 showcase
In July the Rathbones Folio Mentorships 2021/22 cohort performed their writing at the London Library for an audience of mentors, family and friends.
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.
Young Writers Festival Highlights 2023
On 30 March 2023, more than 240 First Story participants from across England came together at the University of Cambridge to take part in our annual Young Writers Festival. Held for the first time at Downing College, our 2023 festival was headlined by multi-award-winning children’s author, actress, playwright and screenwriter Manjeet Mann. MC’ed by John …
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.
Summer residential 2022 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.
Folio mentorships 2022 showcase
In July the Rathbones Folio Mentorships 2021/22 cohort performed their writing at the London Library for an audience of mentors, family and friends.
Eco-poetry competition winners 2022
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.
