Calling all young writers aged 12 – 16 in and around Worcester!

Calling all young writers aged 12 – 16 in and around Worcester!

Following their summer break, September marks the start of an exciting writing journey for young people aged 12 – 16 in Worcestershire with the beginning of the Worcester and Kidderminster Young Writers’ Groups. Meeting one Saturday a month from 2 – 4pm at The Hive, the Worcester Young Writers’ Group is led by science-fiction writer, Ian R. MacLeod with poet Nina Lewis as the Assistant Writer. The Kidderminster group also meets from 2 – 4pm once a month over at Kidderminster Library and is led by poet and children’s writer, Jean Atkin with writer Emma O’Brien as the Assistant.

 

Sessions focus on creative writing and the groups look at all different sorts of genres, they also have the chance to work collaboratively, independently and receive feedback on their writing.  Fun, friendly, a chance to learn new skills and be inspired; the young people involved don’t have to previous experience of creative writing to join and they can be interested in any genre of writing.

 

The Worcester and Kidderminster groups form part of a network which operates in sixteen towns and cities from Hereford in the West to Stoke in the North, and are open to writers aged 8 to 16. The groups are split into two age ranges (8-11 and 12-16) and allow for the young writers to try their hand at different forms of writing, from plays and poetry to prose and drama, with each session being led by a professional writer.

 

The writing groups are run by Writing West Midlands, the regional literature development agency. Its Chief Executive, Jonathan Davidson, said: “The Write On! Young Writers’ Groups are a fantastic way for young writers to meet other young writers and try new forms of writing. One session may be all about writing your own poetry on a theme, and the next time you could be writing a play in just a couple of hours.

 

“It’s all about the young writers having a space to try things out, with feedback and encouragement, and we’ve been delighted at how much progress the writers have made since the groups started in 2010.”

 

During their time with us, we’ve seen young writers win competitions including the Ledbury Poetry Competition (young people’s prize), read at literature festivals such as Coventry Mysteries, Wenlock Poetry Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival and the Birmingham Literature Festival, and produce anthologies and exhibitions of their writing. Look out for first novels and poetry collections in a few years’ time!

 

If you know a young writer who’d like to get involved in the Write On! Young Writers’ Groups in Worcester or Kidderminster; please contact Joanne Penn at joanne@wrtingwestmidlands.org or you can book online here: www.writingwestmidlands.org/young-writers-schools/write-on-young-writers-booking-form/.

 

Places are £5 per session (paid on the day). Young writers can join at any time but places are limited.