The impressive line-up of literary talent helping us celebrate National Writing Day 2020 includes: current and former Children’s Laureates, Cressida Cowell and Malorie Blackman; Scotland’s National Poet, Jackie Kay; Carnegie medal-winning screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce; best-selling author Mark Haddon; writer and illustrator Laura Dockrill; poet Caroline Bird; playwright Vinay Patel; and children’s author SF Said.
Announcing the 100-Word Story Competition 2019/20 winners
We’re really excited to announce the winners of the 2019 100-Word Story Competition judged by the lovely folks at Vintage books.
Hull College students’ response to 21st century pressures: We Are Strong
On Tuesday 18th February, First Story were proud to present the launch of We Are Strong – an anthology of work written by a group of inspiring young women who powerfully opened up about the world around them.
Regional Writing Stars – Autumn term
We ran a new competition this year – Regional Writing Stars – created to highlight and celebrate regional voices and stories.
Watch: Six Word Story 2019 finalists showcase
The 12 shortlisted stories in this year’s Six Word Story competition, performed by Juno Dawson, Nikesh Shukla, Caroline Bird, Priya O’Shea, Salena Godden, Joe Dunthorne, Bridget Minamore, Tom Holland, Tracy Chevalier, Damian Barr, Katie Thistleton, and Max Porter.
How our writers and teachers support each other
We’re committed to providing regular forums for our writers and teachers to share knowledge, skills and practical experience. Programme Manager for the North, Andy Hill, asked recent participants what they get most from the sessions.
YWF19 Highlights
YWF19 in partnership with the University of Cambridge was attended by over 330 young writers and this year featured headline speaker Juno Dawson.
First Story alumna featured in Rathbones Review
Henna Ravjibhai talks First Story, working with Joe Dunthorne, and writing on the bus to college.
BBC Young Writers’ Award 2020 Launches
To celebrate the launch of the 2020 BBC Young Writers’ Award, we caught up with last year’s winner, Georgie Woodhead, to get some insider info on what it takes to win the competition.
BBC Radio 1 Life Hacks with Chloe Holland
In December 2019, First Story alumna Chloe Holland was invited to BBC Broadcasting House in London for an interview with Katie Thistleton on Radio 1’s Life Hacks show – and she smashed it! Listen to her podcast here.
Supporter reception at Hachette UK
On 18th November 2019, publishers Hachette UK generously hosted a reception for First Story supporters at their London HQ, Carmelite House.
#12Stories Campaign
Celebrate the power of storytelling while raising some much-needed funds to support creative writing by young people. We’re trying to raise £1,000 this festive season, to help fund our two national competitions.
Six Word Story 2019 shortlist and winner announced
Our annual Six Word Story competition is open to all First Story participating schools. Entry closed in late November. From a shortlist of 12 excellent stories, guest judge Juno Dawson picked this year’s winner.
Extended deadline: University of Cambridge Bursary Scheme
Two new bursary places for the PGCert in Teaching Creative Writing at Cambridge University’s Institute of Continuing Education.
First Story moves into CLPE to create new literacy hub
First Story has a new home! Along with fellow literacy charity, Driver Youth Trust, we’ve moved into CLPE’s lovely old school building in Southwark, to form an exciting ‘literacy hub’.
Exclusive interview with Juno Dawson
Ahead of her appearance at our Young Writers’ Festival, Juno Dawson tells us what helps her write so well for young adults, and why it’s important to nurture under-represented writers and amplify their voices.
Announcing our 2019-20 Rathbones Folio Mentees
In its third year, the Rathbones Folio Mentorships programme is an invaluable opportunity for four talented First Story graduates to be paired with four accomplished writers from the Folio Academy.
Durham Commission report: a catalyst for change?
The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education report is a 96 page deep dive into why and how creativity should be placed at the heart of the British education system. Jess Fear shares her thoughts.
First Story alumni in Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2019
It’s the biggest poetry competition in the world for 11-17 year olds and former First Story students are among the 2019 commended poets.
First Story at BBC Contains Strong Language festival
The UK’s biggest poetry and performance festival attracts world-class writers and performers to Hull, to appear alongside homegrown talent – including First Story students and Writers-in-Residence.
The First Story Summer Residential 2019
Sixteen talented First Story students go on a week-long writing retreat at the Arvon centre, Lumb Bank.
Flashers’ Club reluctantly wraps up
The quarterly flash fiction fundraiser that’s raised much needed funds for First Story since 2016.
Write-Along Movies at Genesis Cinema turns two
Celebrating two years of the monthly fundraiser for writers and film fans at London’s iconic indie cinema.
Picket Line Poetry in Hull
Our students from secondary schools across Hull formed a picket line of poetry for National Writing Day protesting their right to express themselves creatively.
