I’m a Jericho Writers Friday Night Live 2026 Finalist!
Image Credit: Becca Day at Jericho Writers
Thursday was meant to be the day I celebrated the publication of my first Paper + Word guest post — but Sophie Flynn and the Jericho Writers team had other ideas. I was flabbergasted to receive the email telling me I’m a real life, honest to God Friday Night Live 2026 Finalist!
Let’s back up a second. For those who don’t know, Jericho Writers is a worldwide writing organisation offering free and paid courses, editing services, mentoring, and resources. They also host an annual Summer Festival of Writing in London, giving writers like me a chance to meet peers and industry professionals. I attended in 2025 and left more inspired than I’d felt in years.
One of the big draws of the festival is the Gala Dinner and the Friday Night Live (But on a Saturday) competition.
Last year, I watched as finalists like Tori, Isabel, Laura, Larry, Davina, and — the winner of 2025 — Kate Emilie had the nerve-wracking privilege of reading their work in front of a panel of industry judges and gulp 300 festival attendees. A friend on my table joked: “Next year, that’ll be us.”
Somehow, they were right. I will be reading the opening of The Fortune Teller’s Son live on stage at the Gala Dinner on the 13th of June. Pinch me. Seriously.
Reworking the novel over the last 12 months has been pretty gruelling and intensive. I’m equally euphoric and nervous about the opportunity, but mostly grateful. It’s immensely validating to be recognised as one of the six standout entries this year, and — this is twee but true — I already feel like a winner, no matter what happens on the night.
Best of luck to my fellow finalists! I can’t wait to meet in-person and to cheer you on.
