Young Writers Festival 2022 highlights

On 29 March 2022, almost 300 diverse young writers travelled to the University of Cambridge to attend our Young Writers Festival. It was our first major live event following two years of digital provision during the pandemic. Headlined by celebrated author Patrice Lawrence MBE, the day included writing workshops, led by our talented authors, poets and playwrights, plus a university campus tour, and culminating with a young writers showcase.

Patrice Lawrence in conversation

Three First Story Young Writers Programme participants were invited to interview Patrice Lawrence. Our selected co-chairs — Ash from Bradford, Maisie from Nottinghamshire and Maisha from Tower Hamlets — prepared really smart questions, drawing great anecdotes and insights from our Ambassador. Their wide-ranging discussion covered Patrice’s writing process, how she overcomes writer’s block and develops her characters, her advice for young writers and so much more — from thoughts on the curriculum to diversity in publishing!

Also at the festival…

Alumni talk

First Story alumna, Habiba Desai, gave an inspiring talk on the Lady Mitchell Hall stage. She shared her story with festival participants, from taking part in the Young Writers Programme at her school in Bradford, to founding her own independent publishing company. Read Habiba’s story here.

Cambridge campus tour

Guided by current undergraduates, First Story students took part in a tour of the University of Cambridge’s Newnham College and Gardens, learning about its history as the alma mater of writers including Virginia Woolf, A.S. Byatt and Germain Greer. It was an opportunity to explore higher education possibilities, find out more about undergraduate life from volunteers, and think about one day studying at Cambridge.

Bargain bookshop

Thanks to our generous friends at Hachette, Walker Books, and Five Leaves Bookshop, First Story students could browse and buy brand new copies of acclaimed children’s and YA titles for just £1 each. Stock included a range of titles by headliner Patrice Lawrence, who met with students and signed their copies.

Feedback from participants

As someone who would like to write a book in the future, this experience has really given me that extra motivation that I needed to pursue my dreams, because seeing all these writers who are of ethnic minority and who have worked hard through adversities has made me believe I can do it too.

100%

of respondents said that they learnt new writing skills as a result of attending the festival.

90%

of respondents said they valued and benefited from working with new and different writers.

The festival was a brilliant opportunity to share and create work in a nurturing and safe environment. I had a brilliant time working with the writers and learning about people’s processes and experience.

92%

of respondents valued visiting Cambridge University and touring the campus.

87%

of respondents felt part of a community of other writers at the festival.

I enjoyed touring around, it made me inspired to do better in school to maybe one day attend places like this while being successful and happy.