London Libraries and Spread the Word team up for free creative writing programme

London Libraries and Spread the Word have teamed up to create a free creative writing programme which will take place across every London borough between February and June 2022 and include Natasha Brown and Caleb Azumah Nelson as writers-in-residence. 

City of Stories Home is designed to celebrate libraries as the place to make and share stories in local communities. It will be launched with original commissioned short stories on the theme of home and top tips on writing short stories from Brown and Azumah Nelson as well as Amer Anwar and Jarred McGinnis, alongside short stories from emerging writers Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, Ruth Goldsmith, Iqbal Hussain and S Niroshini. 

Caroline Rae, president of London Libraries, said: “London Libraries are delighted that we will be working with Spread the Word to deliver City of Stories Home. With the largest network of public libraries of any city in the world, this project will take creative writing opportunities into the heart of neighbourhoods across London.  Libraries are both venues for Londoners to discover culture on their doorstep and hubs of creativity where many artists and writers begin their journey. We look forward to seeing the stories that emerge from this project.”

Ruth Harrison, director of Spread the Word, added: “We’re proud to be working with London Libraries on City of Stories Home celebrating the essential role libraries have in our local communities from supporting people during Covid-19 to providing welcoming and accessible spaces where London’s diverse communities can be inspired to write their stories, discover new stories to read and create connections across the city.” 

Londoners are invited to get creative at their local library by taking part in 33 free online creative writing workshops during February and will be able to enter the City of Stories Home competition, judged by the writers-in-residence. Winning writers will have the opportunity to have their story published in the City of Stories Home Anthology and take part in masterclasses.

Brown, whose acclaimed debut Assembly (Hamish Hamilton) was released last year, said: “London's libraries are a fantastic resource. As a lifelong Londoner, I've enjoyed libraries both as gateways to new literature and serene places to work. I'm thrilled to join the City of Stories Home project, helping readers and writers to create and uncover new stories about the city we call home.”

The City of Stories Home Anthology will be launched in June 2022 at celebration events in local libraries. The anthology will be available for readers and reading groups in every London library service alongside an accessible collection of short story titles from London’s independent presses curated by librarians.