Tom Palmer

Tom Palmer and the Cumbrian Young Writers Prize-giving

When he was young, the acclaimed children's writer Tom Palmer struggled at school  so his mum encouraged him to read books and magazines about football. Gradually he came to LOVE books, then writing them. Now an author of more than 60 books, including three historical novels set in wartime Cumbria, Tom will share this journey of becoming an author and what books and reading mean to him and then will present prizes in the first Cumbrian Young Writers Competition. Tom is the judge of the competition and will read some of the winning entries. His latest book, Angel of Grasmere, is set in the Lake District during world War II and explores family, community and kindness.,

SPOTLIGHT on

“Angel of Grasmere: from Dunkirk to the Fells”
July 1940 – Tarn struggles to come to terms with the loss of her beloved brother in the chaos of the British retreat at Dunkirk and she and her friends scour the hills around their Westmorland home, watching for any signs of the long-dreaded Nazi invasion. But as the war drags on, with little good news from the front, the locals become aware of someone carrying out anonymous acts of kindness. With no one claiming credit, the village come to think of this unidentified stranger as a kind of guardian angel, but when his identity is finally revealed can Tarn come to terms with the truth…?

Discover why Tom chose to set some of his historical fiction in Cumbria. Bring your child or grandchild along to the theatre and find out all about Tom's life as an author; chat with Tom and get a book signed. Tom's historical fiction gives a fascinating insight into wartime Grasmere and surrounds - great for adults and children!

COMPETITION NEWS

To celebrate local emerging talent Tom invites young people to submit a short story on the theme of ‘On our Doorstep’ . There will be prizes for the winners. 

Closing date for submissions 14th February to wordsbythewaterkeswick@gmail.com

 

Words by the Water Young Writers Competition 2025

·         A short story of no more than 300 words

·         Two age groups- 11 and under and 12-16 years old

·         Theme - On our Doorstep

·         Entries to be emailed to wordsbythewaterkeswick@gmail.com in PDF format, with the name & age of writer within the email only.

·          Closing Date February 14th at 4.00pm

·          The judge will be the acclaimed young fiction author Tom Palmer.

·         Entries will remain anonymous

·         Prizes  - The winners in each age group - £50 book token and a £50 token for their school. Highly commended -  £15 book token and a £15 token for their school. All prize-winners will also be given a choice of books signed by Tom Palmer and complimentary tickets for Festival events.

·         The Prize-giving ceremony will be at Theatre by the Lake on Saturday March 15th at 11.30am. Tom Palmer will talk about how he became a writer and will announce the winners and read their work. This event is free for all children, and £6 for accompanying adults. School groups are welcome. Booking is essential.

 

  • Saturday, 15th March 2025
  • 11:30am
  • Main House
  • £6.00 adults FREE for children

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