How do you enter Bristol’s literary scene as a young writer?

Bristol has long established itself as a creative hub for writers, priding itself on a burgeoning poetry scene.

Yet, for young aspiring writers it can often feel difficult to find opportunities and, at times, inaccessible.

What does the city do to help young people develop and express their creative skill and give them a voice in Bristol’s literary scene?

In school, lessons can often revolve around a rigid curriculum which tends to avoid creative writing, leaving young writers feeling unsupported and unaware of the opportunities available in the city.

Stefan Mohamed, a Bristol-based author and poet called the situation a “political choice”.

“As is generally the case in the UK, both locally and nationally, opportunities for younger people to express themselves creatively have become more limited,” he said.

“This is a deliberate political choice, and it’s a disgrace.”

“Bristol is certainly better than a lot of places, but the fact that Arts Emergency has identified Bristol as a location in need of its services shows that more needs to be done – more funding, more opportunities, more outside the box thinking.

“And not just for the future of the creative industries, but for the wellbeing of young people.”

The UK’s creative curriculum has been whittled down by successive governments over the years – photo: Lola Forbes

Here are some ways for young writers to get involved with Bristol’s literary scene:

Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival

Running annually for the past five years, the Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival celebrates Bristol’s poetry through a programme of readings, performances, workshops, family activities, walking tours, talks, poetry slams, panel discussions, open mics, audio events and poetry film screenings.

The Young Bristol City Poet scheme has also been introduced as part of the festival, which involves workshops available to secondary schools and community groups based anywhere in Bristol, aimed at young people aged 14-17 (school years 10-12). Altoma Elwasila and Nara Pring were appointed Bristol’s Young poets at this years festival.

Write on, Bristol

Write on, Bristol is a free online creative writing group run by Bristol Libraries. The group welcomes all writers who want prompts, encouragement and support from fellow writers and takes place on Zoom monthly.

Bristol Writers Group

Bristol Writers Group is an informal writing group that meets at different locations across Bristol weekly.

Creative Writing For Fun Group

Creative Writing For Fun Group meets every second Friday of the month, from 2-4pm at Brunel Care, Queen’s Road.

Reading Group Bedminster

Reading Group Bedminster meets on the second Monday of the month from 10:30 to midday, hosted at the Training Room, Windmill Hill City Farm.

North Bristol Writing Group

For those in north Bristol, the North Bristol Writing Group meets at 7:30pm on selected Thursdays in north Bristol.

Bookshop events

North street independent bookshop Story Smith and Waterstones in Bristol Galleries both host a range of events, including an upcoming open mic night on July 29.

Bookhaus organises regular £5 events such as book launches, panel discussions and free reading groups every Thursday.

Bookhaus has a full literary calendar over the July month – photo: Lola Forbes

Bristol Short Story Prize

Bristol Short Story Prize is a competition for original, unpublished short stories up to 4,000 words, in any genre or style. It is open to all writers, published and unpublished.

Rising Arts agency

Rising Arts agency supports young creatives aged 16-30 who are interested in making a career in the arts and looking to collaborate and join a community, led by young people who advocate for sector and cultural change.

Open mic nights

One of the best ways to involve yourself in Bristol’s literary scene is by attending or performing at open mic nights, which there are plenty of:

• The Gallimaufry, every Monday, 8pm sign up, 9pm start.
• The Blue Lagoon, every Tuesday at 8pm.
• The Fringe, first Sunday of every month at 8pm.
• Raise The Bar: a live events organisation and talent development platform, providing a space for a range of poets from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from upcoming to local to internationally renowned. They offer an open mic each month which you can sign up for on a first come first serve basis by emailing bupoetry.creativewriting@gmail.com.
• Bristol Tonic is a monthly music and poetry party which is held at Bristol’s Rough Trade, hosted by Chris Vox, the cornish writer and cal the poet.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Birmingham’s boundary-breaking Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi to headline Milk Poetry night
• Lyra Festival launches inaugural Bristol Young City Poet scheme
• The literary events enhancing Bristol’s indie bookshop scene

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