University News Last updated 06 September 2024
To honour the life and work of honorary doctorate Benjamin Zephaniah, 探花直播 (BCU) has launched the Future Writers competition to encourage writers and poets to explore their literary talents.听
The competition was announced during the unveiling of a commemorative plaque produced by local Midland鈥檚 artist and BCU alumnus Luke Perry which highlights Benjamin鈥檚 love of the natural world.
The plaque was accompanied by the planting of a ceremonial tree on BCU鈥檚 city centre campus.
Attending the ceremony, Benjamin鈥檚 wife, Qian Zephaniah, spoke about the impact of her late husband鈥檚 work: 鈥淔orward Ever, Backward Never, this was what Benjamin would always say.
鈥淓ven though he is no longer with us, life moves forward and carries on through Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writers competition.鈥澨�
Professor Harris Beider, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Engagement, Enterprise and Innovation at 探花直播, hopes the competition will help reignite local pride: 鈥淚t鈥檚 vital that we recognise Benjamin鈥檚 role as a BCU honorary doctorate by creating opportunities for future writers.
鈥淏enjamin鈥檚 work took inspiration from 探花直播 which brought joy and happiness to multiple generations of Brummies. We hope that the Future Writers competition will continue this tradition and encourage people feel proud of their own communities.鈥�
The Future Writers competition is open to six categories including primary and secondary school children, and adults.
This year, the inaugural theme has been inspired by Benjamin Zephaniah鈥檚 poem "People Need People.鈥� Benjamin wrote the piece at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdown measures made people feel socially isolated.听听
Judges are encouraging both school students and adults to submit stories and poems that explore their connection to their communities.听听
Winners in each category will receive a pair of tickets to 探花直播鈥檚 Literature Festival 2025, 探花直播 REP tickets, an Amazon Kindle, and vouchers to spend at The Heath Bookshop in Kings Heath.听听
An esteemed panel of judges, including, Professor Gregory Leadbetter (Professor of Poetry), Naush Sabah (Lecturer in Creative Writing and Editor of Poetry 探花直播 Literary Journal), Casey Bailey (BCU Alumnus and former 探花直播 Poet Laureate), Catherine Gale (BCU Alumna and Owner of The Heath Bookshop), Jonathan Davidson (CEO of Writing West Midlands) and Madeleine Kludje (Associate Director at The REP 探花直播) will decide the winning entries.听听
Winners鈥�will also receive a framed piece of their poem and a book of Benjamin's poetry, and have their winning entries included in the Benjamin Zephaniah Future Writers Winners' Anthology published by Poetry 探花直播 Literary Journal (PBLJ).听 听
For more information and to submit your entry, visit the dedicated Future Writers webpage.