Students have their written work published – and will hand it over to the stars at leading literary festival

Leading figures from the stage, screen, publishing and literature will be presented with the latest University of Northampton literary collection for their bookshelves.

Red Kite, a yearbook featuring final-year Creative Writing students’ work, will be handed over to speakers at the Althorp Literary Festival, which begins on Thursday.

Star turns at this, the festival’s 13th edition, include bestselling author Bill Bryson, veteran acting great, Brian Blessed, comedian Sara Pascoe and broadcaster Joan Bakewell.

The students, who are due to graduate in July, will attend the festival on Friday, where they will be presented with their personal copies of Red Kite, which includes writing from all genres, including poetry, prose, fiction and non-fiction.

Dr Jon Mackley, Senior Lecturer in English and Creative Writing, said: “Red Kite represents the early flowering of writing talent. In it are a series of extraordinary characters, striking situations and memorable poems.

“Our students undergo a rigorous process of generating work and then reflecting upon it in order to make it more powerful and effective. It is this process, we believe, which has given rise to the astonishingly high level of work within its pages.”

Student Isobel Zandona, who has some of her work included in the book, said: “I have learnt so much during my three years studying Creative Writing; I have been introduced to new authors, new genres and new forms of writing.

“I have realised that, besides imagination, good work takes time, effort and a lot of editing; and with the continuous help of my patient professors and talented fellow students, I have been able to turn constructive criticism into better writing and have gained confidence in my ability and my work.”

Pictured receiving copies of Red Kite at last year’s festival are Strictly Come Dancing judge, Darcey Bussell, and television’s Richard and Judy.