The public vote to find the Plymouth Laureate of Words for 2023-25 closed on 4th September 2023, and the new Laureate is Rosemarie Corlett! Read our announcement here for Rosemarie’s thoughts and she prepares for this role, and for details of a special celebration taking place at The Box on Wednesday 27th September.

Below you can read more about our current Laureate of Words Laura Horton, and our Young City Laureate Mimi Jones, both of whom will be reading their work at this event.

The Plymouth Laureates of Words – telling the city’s stories

Plymouth Laureate of Words is a creative partnership between Literature Works, Plymouth Culture and The Box. The Laureate represents their city in words, illuminating its life, culture and stories through a combination of creative writing commissions and public events. The locally based Laureate meets the Plymouth community to inspire and encourage the sharing of stories; reflecting the voices at the heart of the city.

Literature Works proudly supports the Plymouth Laureate of Words, and the Plymouth Young City Laureate. Both the Laureates give voice to the communities of Plymouth, together working to explore and tell the city’s stories. The Plymouth Laureate of Words is a partnership project with Plymouth Culture and the Box. The Young City Laureate is a collaboration with Plymouth City Council, With Flying Colours and Plymouth Culture.

In November 2020 Plymouth playwright, facilitator and publicist Laura Horton became Plymouth’s first ever Laureate of Words for 2020-23. Over the two years of her Laureateship, Laura is responding to a series of commissions from partners and organisations across Plymouth. The Laureateship is comprised of a series of public events, a short writing course and appearances at various events in the civic calendar. Laura is also blogging about her experiences as Laureate.

Mimi Jones is our Young City Laureate for 2023. They will be the writers’ voice of the city’s young. They will receive paid writing commissions to develop their creative work, which they will be given the opportunity to share and perform at special events and occasions at libraries, schools and festivals in Plymouth, alongside other artists.