Top authors in city to net charity cash (From Oxford Mail)

Top authors in city to net charity cash

10:00am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News

FIVE writers including Scottish author Iain Banks are coming to Oxford next week to raise money for charity.

Mr Banks will be joined by Esther Freud, Salena Godden, John O’Farrell and Ross Raisin on Friday, September 28, at Lady Margaret Hall, Norham Gardens, at 6.30pm to raise funds for the First Story organisation.

Each will spend 15 minutes telling improvised short stories.

Since 2008, First Story has arranged for 150 authors to work with 56 teachers in 27 schools across the country, and about 1,700 students have written an estimated 50,000 stories and poems.

Charity spokesman Georgie Stogdon said: “The writers can speak on any subject of their choice. There are only two rules – no scripts and only 15 minutes each.

“The writers will be introduced by author and First Story co-founder William Fiennes.”

The charity wants to address educational disadvantage faced by pupils in challenging social and economic circumstances.

It works closely with teachers and acclaimed writers, who run weekly creative writing workshops with up to 21 students aged 14 to 18.

First Story publishes the students’ work in anthologies and arranges public readings.

Iain Banks has written over 20 novels including The Wasp Factory, while William Fiennes is the author of bestsellers The Snow Geese and The Music Room.

Tickets, priced £15 or £9 concessions, can be bought at www.firststory.org.uk