• What We Do
  • About Us
  • Ways to Support
  • Blog
  • Bookshop
  • Hub login
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

First Story

Changing lives through writing

  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Ways to Support
  • Blog
  • Bookshop
  • Hub login

Young Writers’ Festival

The YWF tears down barriers as it raises aspirations for education and learning

Open to all First Story schools, our annual festival brings up to
450 students and teachers together at Cambridge University, for an inspiring day-long event including keynote speakers, book signings, workshops and readings.

Acclaimed writers who have appeared at the Young Writers’ Festival include Michael Morpurgo, Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman, Mark Haddon, Jackie Kay, Patrick Ness and Juno Dawson.

Why attend?

The Young Writers’ Festival is a unique opportunity for young people to engage with literary world conventions, often for the first time.

The Festival celebrates young writers’ creative expression, as much as established artists’ work, with students encouraged to write and share their own pieces.

There’s also an affordable book shop, with new copies of acclaimed novels, poetry and YA favourites for only £1 each. 

Boys reading
Boy speaking into a microphone

It was fun to meet the writers and understand how they make their books. The next day when I was back in school we were writing poetry and I remembered how the students from other schools were reading out their work at the festival and it made it easier. I feel like I was able to write better poetry because of the visit.

STUDENT ATTENDEE

Each First Story school is offered up to 40 places, with tickets costing £5 each.

Schools must register in advance. Please contact us if you need to make special arrangements or if you have questions about your school’s eligibility.

Teachers’ Views

81%

felt attendance had improved students’ writing skills

93%

said the Festival had made students feel more confident

100%

believed the Festival introduced new writers

Young Writers' Festival 2019 - boy reading on stage

YWF19 Highlights

Juno Dawson

Exclusive interview with Juno Dawson

Imaru Lewis at YWF18

YWF18 Highlights

YWF17 Highlights

The Young Writers’ Festival 2016 Headliners Announced!

Patrick Ness and Sally Green

Patrick Ness and Sally Green to headline Young Writers’ Festival 2015

Mark Haddon at the First Story Young Writers' Festival 2014

Young Writers’ Festival 2014

Boys reading Malorie Blackman

Thank you Give a Book

The First Story Young Writers’ Festival 2013

Above Footer

Get our monthly newsletter

Footer

Quick Links

  • Young Writers Programme
  • Published Anthologies
  • Connect Events
  • Young Writers’ Festival
  • Summer Residential
  • Support for Teachers
  • National Writing Day
  • Read our Students’ Writing
  • Pedagogy and Approach
  • Outcomes and Impact
  • Lives Changed
  • Schools Map
  • Expression of Interest Form
  • Schools Hub
  • IP Consent Form
  • Staff and Trustees
  • Vacancies

Follow

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Search

Contact

While our office remains closed, we may not access post. Please contact us by email.

info@firststory.org.uk

020 7481 7777

First Story
44 Webber Street
London
SE1 8QW

Site Footer

© First Story Ltd. All rights reserved | Registered Charity No: 1122939 | Company No: 06487410 | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2021 · Mai Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in