Record Number of Leeds Students Published in Writing Anthology

Leeds College of Building students feature prominently in national creative writing collection

A record 129 students from Leeds College of Building (LCB) have had their short stories published in this year’s Young Writers anthology. The collection, which focuses on the theme ‘Stranger Sagas’, invited young writers to explore unusual or strange topics through 100-word short stories.

LCB had the highest number of student stories selected for publication among colleges nationwide, surpassing last year’s total of 83. Young Writers, established in 1991, aims to encourage creative writing among young people by providing a platform to share their work.

Student contributions and inspirations

One of the featured writers, Level 1 Multi-Skills student Erem Kudret Albayrak, shared his story titled ‘The Coup’, inspired by the 2016 attempted coup d’état in Turkey, including events in his hometown of Istanbul. After learning of his publication, Erem read his story to his English class.

His story recounts the events of the coup attempt, highlighting the bravery of those who defended the country and the manipulation faced by some soldiers involved. Erem expressed gratitude towards his teacher and the college for supporting his development in writing in English.

Examples of published stories

• The Coup by Erem Kudret Albayrak – A reflection on the 2016 Turkish coup attempt.
• The Fridge by Cameron Hostetler – A story about discovering a miniature civilisation inside an old fridge.
• The Stormy Creature by Deacon Barker – A suspenseful tale involving a mysterious creature on a stormy night.
• Men Vs Robots by Dylan Binns – A futuristic narrative about a young soldier fighting robots in a global conflict.
• The Copy by Archie Rawson – A science fiction story featuring an encounter with an alien creature that mimics the protagonist.

Publication details

The anthology Stranger Sagas was published by Young Writers on 16 March 2026 and is available online for readers interested in exploring the creative work of young authors.

This achievement highlights the creative talents of LCB students and their engagement with contemporary themes through short-form storytelling.