The Hexham Young Writers’ Group is an initiative set up by Hexham Book Festival and Queen’s Hall Arts, Hexham to give young people the time and space to explore their creativity through writing. Originally intended as in-person meet-ups, they were reimagined into on-line courses in the wake of Covid 19, led by writer and theatre maker Becci Sharrock. Throughout the courses our young writers were able to explore poetry, fiction, non-fiction and playwriting through lots of different activities; from creating blackout poetry, to writing speeches, from exploring their identity to creating characters.

Below are some of the pieces the young writers have created during that time.

Becci said "I’ve been so impressed by the resilience, creativity and imagination of all the young people taking part. To have the confidence to write, and then share your writing, can be daunting at the best of times. But to find time each week to write, to try and find new ways of expressing yourself and finding out what it is you want to say with your work – all whilst navigating home schooling, distance from friends and extended family and the small matter of a global pandemic… it’s been inspiring."

"I’m confident we’ll be seeing these names again in the future; on our bookshelves, on stage and at festivals. Remember, you heard them here first!"

Best of Strangers (Extract) - Rosie Bowden

Black Lives Matter - Josephine Burdon

Describing a Landscape - Bryony Agar

Haiku - Tom Berry

I'm From - Becky Conroy

Mealtime Conversations - Bethan Baker

Origins - Bryony Agar

Origins - Josephine Burdon

Tiger Story - Robert Parker

Untitled - Bronwyn Payne

Untitled - Robert Parker

Wandering Figures - Hannah Weiner

Becci is a writer, theatre maker and creative producer based in Gateshead. You can find out more about her work at www.beccisharrock.com