Aspiring young authors from Stoke-on-Trent are taking part in a challenge to inspire the next generation of local literary talent.  

The Places That Make Us programme is a creative writing initiative led by Keele University and Higher Horizons in collaboration with Potteries-born published authors, designed to spark the next century of literary voices from Stoke-on-Trent.   

This year's programme was recently launched with Reader in Creative Writing, Dr Lisa Blower. 

Dr Blower is lending her expertise as a published author as part of her ongoing work to preserve Stoke-on-Trent's literary heritage for the city's centenary year.  

Her project aims to find 100 books from the past 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent's history to create the city's first literary canon. 

At the same time, the Higher Horizons team have been working with eight schools from across the region, encouraging learners to create 100-word stories inspired by their sense of place. 

The stories will form part of an anthology due to be published ready for World Book Day celebrations in March 2026.  

Dr Blower is now working with fellow authors Lou Cliffe-Minns and Alex Foulkes to select 100 stories for the anthology (image via Keele)

Dr Blower said she hopes this anthology publication will be the inaugural text in the next 100 years of the city's literary canon, saying: "It was such an important part of the project to not only look back at our local authorship but also forward to the city's next generation of authors. 

"It is wonderful to be able to provide that opportunity to showcase 100 new voices sharing their stories about Stoke-on-Trent and for this anthology to kickstart the next 100 years of 100 Books."    

As part of the programme, more that 160 students visited Keele University for themed creative writing workshops and a campus tour. 

Mark Deaville, from Higher Horizons, added: "It has been fantastic to see our learners, who are all from areas where they are less likely to progress to higher education, not only experience the university for the first time, but also have the opportunity to put their skills into practice and have the chance to call themselves a published writer as a result. 

"Our city is so often talked down, so for them use it is as inspiration for their creativity has given me personally a lot of pride."  

Dr Blower is now working with fellow authors Lou Cliffe-Minns and Alex Foulkes, to select 100 of the stories for the anthology which will be published in early 2026.  

All successful students will receive a copy of the book, and one will be stocked in the library of all participating schools so that future students can read their predecessor's work.

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