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Creative writing charity for young people

Six Word Stories auction to raise vital funds for First Story

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A collection of acclaimed and best-selling authors have written original six word stories to be auctioned in aid of First Story. The unique literary auction Six Word Stories runs online from 9 October to 2 November. Proceeds will support aspiring young writers to develop their voice, hone their writing craft, and have their work professionally published.

The list of Six Word Stories contributors includes Booker Prize, Women’s Prize and Carnegie Medal winners, a former Children’s Laureate and former Scots Makar. Multi-award-winners featured in the auction include Julian Barnes, Edmund de Waal, Diana Evans, Neil Gaiman, Linton Kwasi Johnson, Sir Michael Morpurgo and Elif Shafak, alongside bestselling authors including James Patterson, Louise Doughty, Francesa Simon and First Story Ambassador Tracy Chevalier.

Six Word Stories participating authors: David Baddiel, Julian Barnes, Jessie Burton, Tracy Chevalier, Edmund de Waal, Louise Doughty, Inua Ellams, Diana Evans, Neil Gaiman, Nikita Gill, Joanne Harris, Tom Holland, Alan Hollinghurst, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Jackie Kay, Patrice Lawrence, Val McDermid, Nadifa Mohamed, Sir Michael Morpurgo, Kate Mosse, David Nicholls, James Patterson, Max Porter, Ian Rankin, Meg Rosoff, Elif Shafak, Kamila Shamsie, Francesca Simon, Dame Rose Tremain, Alex Wheatle.

Each six word story in the auction is handwritten, signed and sometimes illustrated by the author. All pieces have been artfully framed by the prestigious London framers Green & Stone of Chelsea.

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Six word stories are a flash fiction challenge in concise storytelling. The most famous example, attributed to Ernest Hemingway, is: For sale: baby shoes, never worn. First Story has run its own annual Six Word Story competition for programme participants since 2010. The winner in 2022 was Gracie Charles, a student at Bulwell Academy in Nottingham, with: “I’m sorry!” “You’re not!” “I know…”


I am honoured that so many leading writers have risen to our Six Word Story challenge to support us. It’s no mean task, but the results are witty, moving, astute. These writers are following in the footsteps of thousands of young writers who have entered our Six Word Story competition over the past 15 years, demonstrating their own extraordinary skills as writers.

Antonia Byatt, First Story Chief Executive

Six Word Stories auction launches at 10am BST on Monday 9 October and closes at 9pm GMT on Thursday 2 November 2023. To participate visit firststory.org.uk/six-word-stories.

Six Word Stories auction kindly supported by: