What young writers say about SYW...

Back to SYW menu Questions about Sheffield Young Writers Who is it for? Sheffield Young Writers is for any young people (13-18) who enjoy writing. Whether you’re into writing a novel or simply the kind of person who’s always scribbling notes and ideas, then Young Writers is for you. It’s a great way to meet other like-minded people, to get feedback on your writing and a fun and interesting way to get you inspired and writing! Back to SYW menu

How do I join?
SYW is very popular and as a result there is a waiting list for new members to join. Please get in touch via sheffyoungwriters@yahoo.co.uk, if you would like to join SYW or have any questions for us.

When do we meet?
Sheffield Young Writers meet informally on Wednesday evenings between 5-7pm, in the Central Children’s Library on Surrey Street, Sheffield.
Back to SYW menu

Who runs it? The Sheffield Young Writers is run through Signposts a writers resource and support service. Sue Shaw, a Sheffield writer and Vicky Morris, Coordinator of Cube Young People's Magazine are mentors for the project. SYW's mentors encourage young people with their writing, find interesting opportunities, run workshops and support guest writers in delivering a range of creative writing workshops and projects...

“I think there is a massive need for opportunities for young writers in Sheffield.  I know from my own experiences when I was a young person that there’s very little opportunity for you when you have a passion for writing to explore it.  People don’t know about the kind of careers that are open to them in the Arts and Cultural sectors, particularly relating to writing”.
Beverley Ward, Founder of Sheffield Young Writers

Writers who have run workshops with SYW:

Beverley Ward: Sheffield Young Writers was founded by Beverley Ward. Beverley left SYW in October 2007 to start a family but continues to support SYW from afar. Beverley writes poetry and fiction for children, young people and adults. A graduate of Sheffield Hallam University’s MA in Writing, Beverley is part of Yorkshire Arts Circus’ Writer Development Programme at the moment and is hoping to publish a Young Adult novel soon. She set the Young Writers up because she wanted to give young people the kind of support that she felt was lacking when she was a teenager.

River Wolton: Sheffield poet, River Wolton, also works for the Sheffield Young Writers. Among her successes she won first prize in the 2004 Red Pepper poetry competition, written several plays and is currently working on her first full-length poetry collection. She enjoys helping young people to overcome their writing blocks and find their own voice through words.

Sue Shaw -  Writer and Visual Artist: Sue's short stories and poems have been published in various magazines and anthologies. She has also written articles about youth and community arts. Sue is interested in combining image and text and produces artists' books (as SALT + SHAW), which are in the collections of The British Library, Tate Britain Library, Winchester School of Art and individual collectors in Britain and America.  She has worked in the field of creative education since 1987.

Back to SYW menu