Find out more about the Beacons Project in this article written by one of the organisers Jennifer Hewson:

"The Beacons Project is an educational project of the Hay Festival for aspiring young writers. It is open to all students studying A level or AS level literature in Wales and the Marches. Ten 'A' level literature students from across Wales are selected to attend the Hay Festival - taking part in creative writing workshops in poetry, prose, and screenwriting, keeping an online journal, and attending a wide range of festival events. Festival highlights this year include Seamus Heaney, Margaret Atwood, and Al Gore.

Students apply by sending in a sample of their creative writing. Once the ten participants have been selected, all they need to do is to turn up with plenty of enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and a pen and paper. All costs are covered by the project, including food, accommodation, workshops, and entry to events. Accommodation is usually a local youth hostel, which has been hired out for the exclusive use of the project.

The Beacons Project was originally co-founded with Martin Fitton of the Brecon Beacons National Park, and one of the key themes of the project is the inspiring relationship between landscape and literature. There are a series of guided walks in the Brecon Beacons National Park which surrounds Hay-on-Wye, and students are encouraged to make the most of the unique opportunities of the beautiful setting of the festival and the many cultural activities on offer The project is tremendous fun but it's a packed schedule, and is specifically for those who are serious about writing, and passionate about culture. Participants are expected to write while they are on the project, and to contribute to the groups' online diary about their experience of the festival. Last year's students described the project as 'incredible', 'an amazing experience' and even 'life changing'.

This year, there will be creative writing workshops with Tiffany Murray, author of Happy Accidents (Fourth Estate), and Owen Sheers, poet, author, and former Beacons Project participant, who will be reading from his new poetry collection Skirrid Hill at the festival. Karl Francis, writer, film-maker, and former Head of Drama at BBC Wales will be offering advice on writing for film and television, and the renowned linguist David Crystal will be presenting a workshop on the language of Shakespeare.

Over the years, the Beacons Project has been funded by various organisations. This year our sponsors are the Ernest Cook Trust, the Brecon Beacons National Park, 4th Estate, the Academi, and Seren Books Application forms can be downloaded from the Hay Festival website's education page, which also gives information about requesting a form for those unable to download. This needs to be sent in, along with a sample of creative writing, and a letter of recommendation from the Head of English at the student's school, explaining why this particular person would benefit from a place on the project.

The project offers an incredible introduction into writing and the cultural life. Former students have gone on to become authors and work in publishing, media, and the performing arts. As Owen Sheers, award winning writer and former Beacons Project participant describes: 'The Beacons Project was crucial for me, it not only provided me with the aspiration to be a writer but also put me in contact with a range of authors and literature that I'd have been hard pushed to find anywhere else. The Beacons Project is a must if Wales is at all serious about fostering young talent in the arts'."

Written by Jennifer Hewson from the Beacons Project.