Warwickshire Libraries is thrilled to unveil the highlight of its youth-led World Book Day celebrations: Words of Our Own: Creative Writing Workshop – an event created entirely by teens, for teens.
Taking place from 12:30pm to 2:00pm on Saturday 17 May at Stratford-upon-Avon Library, Henley Street, this free workshop invites young people aged 12 to 16 to unleash their creativity in a space tailored to their voices, experiences, and passions.
Conceived and developed by the Warwickshire Libraries' Youth Advisory Board, the event represents a bold step forward in youth-led programming, putting teen creativity and leadership at the forefront of library engagement.
Leading the session is award-winning teen writer and Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate, Ananditha Venkatramanan, who brings her own lived experience and literary acclaim to a workshop that promises to shake up traditional writing instruction.
“This isn't your typical 'sit down and listen to adults' workshop,” said Anandhita. “We've designed this experience specifically for how teens actually think, create, and express themselves. It's about finding your authentic voice in a space created by people who understand exactly what you're going through.”
Participants will explore character perspective writing, stepping into the shoes of their favourite fictional characters to craft unique and imaginative narratives. This technique nurtures not just writing skills, but empathy, confidence, and creative self-expression.
“We don’t just read books - we live inside them,” said a Youth Advisory Board member. “This workshop lets us explore that connection and turn it into something new.”
Dr Anjna Chouhan, National Portfolio Organisation, Creative Producer (Area Librarian), Warwickshire County Council said: “This workshop offers budding young writers real creative inspiration. It's a brilliant example of Warwickshire’s commitment to being a child-friendly county - empowering young people to be heard, skilled, and involved in shaping their own experiences.”
This event follows the success of Tangled Up Tales, a creative story session for younger children also designed by the Youth Advisory Board. Led by board member Phoebe Thomas, the session left participants inspired - with 100% of attendees reporting they felt more excited about reading, and 86% saying they learned something new.
Building on this success, Words of Our Own offers older children a chance to take their storytelling even further - developing real-world skills, making peer connections, and embracing the power of their own imagination.
Reserve your spot now via Eventbrite: Words of Our Own: Creative Writing Workshop – Eventbrite