Watch exclusive clips from this summer’s virtual showcase event, which celebrated new writing by five First Story alumni, chosen to be Rathbones Folio Prize Mentees in 2019/20.
WATCH: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2019/20 ShowcaseRead More
Alumni
New First Story Young Ambassadors Programme
Our new Young Ambassadors Programme is an exciting supported volunteering opportunity for alumni keen to continue their engagement with creative writing. It puts young people at the heart of promoting creative writing within their schools and local communities.
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2020/21
In its fourth year, the Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme pairs four 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.
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2020/21Read More
Summer 2020 Virtual Residential
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, this summer, our annual residential programme took place virtually. With participants connecting entirely online, we managed to maintain almost all of the key elements that make this project so special and impactful.
Rathbones Folio Mentorships 2020-21 Open
First Story alumni can apply until the 31 July 2020 to take part in the 20/21 Rathbones Folio Mentorships programme, for a chance to work for a year with an acclaimed pro author. Two of this year’s mentees, Mariamah Davey and Nidaa Raoof, share their reasons to get involved.
National Writing Day Instagram takeover!
In the week leading up to this year’s National Writing Day on 24 June, we invited two former First Story students from West Yorkshire, Henna Ravjibhai (17) and Sophie Crabtree (19), to take over our Instagram account — as a platform to share their experiences as young writers, and hopefully inspire other young people to practice writing creatively too.
First Story alumna featured in Rathbones Review
Henna Ravjibhai talks First Story, working with Joe Dunthorne, and writing on the bus to college.
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.
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.
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 alumni in Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2019Read More
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 home grown talent – including First Story students and Writers-in-Residence.
First Story at BBC Contains Strong Language festivalRead More
Imaru Lewis at YWF18
First Story programme graduate, Imaru Lewis’s speech to current students at the Young Writers’ Festival 2018.