Exciting opportunity for young writers in Exeter

Aspiring young writers in Exeter are invited to apply for the city’s first-ever Young City Laureate, a prestigious new role celebrating literature, storytelling, and creativity in this UNESCO City of Literature.

The opportunity is open to young people aged 14-19 who live, work, or study in Exeter. The selected laureate will be commissioned and paid to create and perform work celebrating the city, its people, and its special events. The position runs from September 2025 to August 2026.

The Young City Laureate will have the opportunity to showcase their talents at libraries, schools, and festivals while voicing the stories of Exeter’s youth.

They can be a writer of prose (fiction or creative non-fiction) or poetry, with a passion for both writing and performing.

Helen Chaloner, CEO of Literature Works, expressed excitement about the new role: “At Literature Works, we are ambitious to support and develop Exeter’s young voices for the future. We can’t wait to work with the city’s first-ever Exeter Young City Laureate and help them make the most of the role.”

Submissions are open now and close at midday on Wednesday, 16 July 2025.

Applicants must submit:

• A 200-word statement explaining why they would like to be the Young City Laureate and how they would use the role.

• Two pieces of creative writing (either poetry or prose).

April also marks the launch of Writing Aloud, a new Young Writers’ Programme. Led by poet, performer, and playwright Malaika Kegode, this series of Easter holiday workshops is open to writers aged 16-19 years.

Sessions are pay-what-you-can and take place from 7-10 April, 11am-1pm.

Additionally, young writers aged 10-18 years can enter the Quay Words Young Writers’ Flash Fiction Competition 2025, open until 11 May, offering cash prizes and the chance to be published.