Photo credits: Topher McGrillis Photography
Newcastle Sixth Form College students performed their creative writing work to a packed audience and were awarded special prizes as part of the ‘Write Here Write Now’ event, organised in partnership with New Writing North and Teesside University.
The awards evening, held at Newcastle Sixth Form College, was attended by staff, students, parents and special guests, including Senior Lecturer of English at Teesside University and published author, Rob Hawkes, who announced Megan Clark as winner of the inaugural Teesside University Writing Challenge with her short story, “House of Leaves”.
Enrichment at NSFC
The students had opted to take creative writing as an enrichment option as part of their studies and over the last term had worked with Newcastle writer Stevie Ronnie, as part of the New Writing North’s Young Writers’ City project.
Amy Mitchell, programme manager for Young Writers’ City said: “Young Writers’ City aims to engage young people in creative writing and kick-start development. I’ve been impressed and humbled by the talent, enthusiasm and creativity of the young people involved in this project.”
Getting creative
Young Writers’ City is part of New Writing North’s Cuckoo Young Writers programme, and is funded by Newcastle Culture Investment Fund to get more young people from the city involved in creative projects and to experience writing in their communities.
Angela Martin, literacy development leader at Newcastle Sixth Form College, said: “This event has been a fantastic experience for our students. It was great to see them enjoy reading their creative writing in front of an audience which included many of their parents, and I am very proud of the effort they put into their work.
David Storey, father of Rachael Storey who won the award for Most Improved Writer with her piece, 'Paris', said: “I really enjoyed the excellent readings from this group of wonderful young writers. Please keep up the brilliant work and well done to all.”
Categories and winners
Poetry
Winner: Teegan Edwards, 'Your Lips'
Runner up: Eve Connelly, 'Make it Last' (To Tobias Connelly)
Runner up: Kathryn Wright, 'Roses in the Rain'
Short Story
Winner: Jade Atkinson, 'Summer'
Runner up: Megan Clark, 'The Jewel Tree'
Runner up: Lucy Wilkinson, 'Me and My Mirror'
Runner up: Maddie Crossling, 'Natasha'
Flash Fiction
Winner: Mirren Wilson, 'Elena'
Runner up: Nicole Simcox, 'Fail at life, Fail at death'
Runner up: Sarah Timlin, 'La Belle Mort'
Commendations: Abigail Orchard and Amy McKee
Most improved writer: Rachael Storey, 'Paris'
Most dedicated student: Jonathan Kennedy, 'Normandy'
Best non-fiction: Hamina Begum
Teesside University Writing Challenge: Megan Clark, 'House of Leaves'
