In search of the new Leeds writers

Tony Harrison, Alan Bennett, Barbara Taylor Bradford, the list of Leodensian writers who have had an impact on the literary world is as eclectic as it is impressive.

Who are the current generation that will replace these names in the future lists that will make sure the city remains on the UK’s literary map?

A new literature festival for Leeds, entering its second year in 2013, is looking for this new generation.

The Big Bookend is following its successful debut last year with a two-day, short festival this year that is as packed with events as it is brief.

The festival returns in June, but the search for Leeds’s new authors has already begun.

LS13 is the name of the strand of The Big Bookend that is searching for the 20 best writers under the age of 40 in Leeds today.

Young author Wes Brown says: “Where is Leeds 25 years after Tony Harrison’s V? Who are its new voices? Who is telling the stories and speaking the poetry of Leeds today?

“LS13 is about uncovering a new generation of Leeds writers. We want a snapshot of the writers at work in the city. The winners will be announced in June 2013 and be invited to perform at our anthology launch event as part of the Big Bookend 2013.”

Following the announcement of the winners, a print version of the anthology will be published by Valley Press and an e-book version will be published by the Arts Council-supported Dead Ink Publications based in Leeds.

The search for Leeds writers is just one strand of the festival, which will feature appearances from multi-award winning author Anthony Clavane.

The Promised Land author will be back in Leeds to discuss his new book Does Your Rabbi Know You’re Here?.

This year’s events will 
be held at three city 
centre venues – Leeds 
Central Library, Leeds 
Church Institute and Waterstones.

Author and community theatre producer Daniel Ingram-Brown will run workshops for young people based on ideas from his new book, Rise of the Shadow Stealers. He will be running workshops based on his book, in which children will have the chance to write their stories.

Anne O’Brien will also be in the city to talk about her new book The Forbidden Queen, which tells the story of the ultimately tragic life of Katherine de Valois whose grandson was to become the first Tudor monarch, Henry VII.

The festival is on June 8 and 9. Details on www.bigbookend.co.uk

Competition rules of entry

To enter the competition to find new writers you must be 40 or under and have a Leeds postcode on the closing date, May 18. Entries cost £3 per submission of either one short story (up to 3000 words); 6 poems; 6 flash fictions; novels and novellas may also be submitted and if chosen as a winner, a 3000 word extract will be selected.