Word Up! writing contest winners perform at All Points East 2023

Budding young writers could get the chance to read out their work in front of the crowds at All Points East.

The major annual festival takes over Victoria Park this year from August 18-28 featuring international headliners Stormzy, The Strokes, Haim, Aphex Twin, Dermot Kennedy and Jungle.

The Word Up! competition invites young people living or attending school in Tower Hamlets to submit an original poem or piece of flash fiction of no more than 300 words.

A child enjoying activities at a previous In the Neighbourhood. (Image: Sharon Lopez)

Entries should be around the theme of East London, Victoria Park or the Borough of Tower Hamlets, or based around an inspirational figure or event in their lives.

Organisers said: “Entrants can use fictional or real-life characters as a creative springboard. We’re looking for originality, language and to be inspired!”

A previous In The Neighbourhood event at All Points East in Victoria Park (Image: Rory James)

The winners will earn either £1,000 for their school library, or for 15 to 17 year-olds, £1,000 a year towards their further or higher education studies.

They will also perform their entries on stage at a prize-giving in Victoria Park on August 21, during the four-day In The Neighbourhood event, which runs Sunday August 20 to Wednesday August 23.

The free event sees local businesses, community organisations, and food outlets put on four days of family fun. Past years have seen outdoor film screenings, pop up bars and street food, children’s activities, yoga and wellbeing classes, and theatre performances.

Activities take place over four days including free screenings and workshops (Image: Sharon Lopez)

For the first time the event includes a writing compeition with categories in four age groups; five to seven, eight to 11, 12 to 14, and 15 to 17.

The competition is run by All Points East concert promoter AEG and judges, who will be drawn from librarians and teachers across Tower Hamlets, are looking for originality, use of language, inspiration, characterisation and showcasing East London.

The four day In The Neighbourhood festival offers children’s activities and family entertainment from local businesses and groups (Image: Sharon Lopez)

Terms and conditions can be found on the site but there is no minimum word count and flash fiction entries should be written in the form of a story, not as a play or dialogue. Poems can be free verse, sonnet or even haiku.

Entrants must submit writing for the relevant age group by 8pm on August 13 using the entry form on the All Points East Festival website. Additional queries email [email protected].

https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/things-to-do/23680213.points-east-2023-word-young-writing-competition/