The Folio Prize Mentorships scheme gives talented First Story alumni the
opportunity to be mentored for one year by experienced, acclaimed writers from the
Folio Academy.

Ash Dixon who recently left Co-op Academy Grange has successfully applied and been matched with a mentor. Her writing tutor is Sunjeev Sahota, the author of the acclaimed Novels 'Ours Are the Streets' and 'The Year of the unaways', which were shortlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize and they were also awarded a European Union Prize for Literature in 2017.

Ash said “Working with Folio is an amazing opportunity for me and I’m grateful that I
get to be a part of a fantastic scheme and work with a brilliant mentor”.

The mentorship scheme launched in 2017, as a high quality exclusive progression route for First Story participants who complete our intensive Young Writers Programme. Our partnership with Folio is an opportunity for talented young writers to pursue their creative writing ambitions, develop their craft and strengthen their voice, with one-to-one support from an established writer.

Over the course of an academic year, each pairing corresponds regularly and mentees benefit from personalised feedback and support, meeting online and in- person. At the end of a year working together, the showcase event provides an opportunity for participants to perform their work publicly. Mentees are also gifted book bundles, containing titles specially selected by their mentors, plus a free Arvon Masterclass to further develop their writing craft.

We all wish Ash the best of luck with her writing career, and we look forward to updates!