50 students from three East Midlands schools took part in our Connect event at the University of Lincoln in June 2024. 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 young writers, as well as strengthening …
Eco-Poetry competition winners 2024
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.
Winners of the inaugural Philip Pyke Memorial Prize announced
Open to writers of poetry and prose who have completed our Young Writers Programme, the Prize is awarded in memory of Philip Pyke to support young writers as they continue their writing journey. Winners receive prestigious tutoring by acclaimed Arvon authors. You can read the winning pieces by clicking on the title. First Prize Emily …
100 Word Story Competition Winners 2023/24
This year’s 100 Word Story Competition again demonstrated the talent amongst our young writers. Over 270 students from First Story partner schools wrote brilliant stories, taking on the challenge of writing a compelling narrative in only 100 words. Judged by a panel from Vintage Books, the stories were an impressive mix of theme and subject. We are …
Young Writers Festival Highlights 2024
On 27 March 2024, nearly 300 First Story participants from across England came together at Downing College, University of Cambridge, to take part in our annual Young Writers Festival. It was a day packed with workshops, readings, performances and more. Our 2024 festival was headlined by award-winning YA author, Dean Atta Hosted by Lewis Buxton …
First Story bursary opportunities for PGCert Teaching Creative Writing at University of Cambridge
For the sixth 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 …
A day of creative collaboration – First Story Writers at the Courtauld Gallery
We recently reignited our partnership with London’s Courtauld Gallery, which had previously hosted Schools Connect Events before the pandemic. 10 of our London writers attended a ‘meeting of creative minds’ alongside the Courtauld’s Schools Learning Team. Longstanding facilitator Francesca Beard led a morning of discovery. The aim: to enhance workshop practice by exploring how storytelling and …
Six Word Story Competition Winners 2023/24
Our annual Six Word Story competition is a challenge in concise storytelling. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” we ask our young writers to captivate us in just six words – a real skill and testament to their creativity in this flash fiction challenge. Participation was high once again, with 867 …
Six Word Stories auction raises over £16,000
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
Sixteen 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 …
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.
