The 2025/26 Folio Academy Mentorships concluded in celebration on Saturday 4 July when we marked the achievements of this year’s talented mentees with a showcase event in the Reading Room of The London Library. Opened in 1896 by Virginia Woolf’s father, the Reading Room is steeped in literary history, providing the perfect setting in which to celebrate our young writers.
This was the ninth year of First Story’s partnership with Folio Academy and The Writers’ Prize, offering year-long one-to-one creative writing mentoring to four First Story alumni dedicated to furthering their writing practice.
This year, Yusra from Skinners’ Academy received mentoring from award-winning poet Liz Berry; Bruna from Trinity Academy was paired with award-winning novelist and poet Ashley Hickson-Lovence; Beau from St Saviour’s and St Olave’s CofE School was paired with Booker Prize-nominated novelist Sophie Mackintosh; and Iftinan from Co-op Academy Leeds received mentoring from writer, performer and T.S. Elliot Prize-shortlisted author Yomi Ṣode.
During the showcase, each mentee took to the mic with poise and impressive confidence, sharing a selection of new writings created during the mentorships. The audience, made up of friends, family and teachers, as well as staff and supporters from First Story, Folio Academy and the London Library, also heard from each of the mentors. Liz, Ashley, Sophie and Yomi spoke to their individual mentorship, offering reflections on their mentee’s development and a few words of advice and encouragement for their continuing journey.
I absolutely adored the ability to connect with a professional writer. […] Liz did a brilliant job at meeting me where I was at in my writing journey.
I feel a lot more confident sharing my poems/short stories which I credit solely to the mentorship programme and having someone to talk to regarding my writing.
Reading at open mics always seemed so nerve-wracking before the mentorship but the showcase was so fun and has encouraged me to get out of my comfort space in that regard.
As we embark upon the tenth year of The Folio Academy Mentorships in 2026/27, we are hugely grateful to Folio Academy and The Writers’ Prize for their continued partnership, ensuring this invaluable progression route for our young writers.
The Folio Academy Mentorships are supported by Amazon Literary Partnership.
Photos by Ahmad El Mad.
Young Writers Residential 2026
