Who Is Mark Grist?

By Jenni Harrison |

We learn a bit more about our independent judge Mark Grist.

When it comes to celebrating young talent, no one does it quite like Mark Grist. We at Young Writers are thrilled to have him as our independent judge for our competitions. With his sharp wit, passion for words, and a genuine love for helping young voices shine, Mark is the perfect person to champion the creativity of young writers.

For those of you who might not be familiar with Mark, he’s an award-winning poet, rapper, author, podcaster and performer who’s captivated audiences around the world. From the viral sensation of his "Teacher vs. Student" rap battle (which has millions of views on YouTube) to his poetry shows and school workshops, Mark knows how to connect with young writers and inspire them to reach for the stars. He’s all about breaking down barriers, making writing fun and proving that words can change the world.

Mark started his career as an English teacher, but his love for words and language went beyond the classroom, and soon enough he focused on turning his passion for poetry into a full-time job. 

You might see him at a festival or touring his poetry shows, or maybe in a school where he creates incredible workshops to get students writing. If you’re a teacher, you may have met him on inset days or CPD events, sharing the tips, tools and techniques to teach poetry and creative writing and getting kids inspired to write.

More recently you’ll see his name in your local bookshop on his children’s picture books, ‘Rhinos Don’t Cry’ and ‘Bears Don’t Get Scared’, both brilliant books that teach younger children the importance of sharing and expressing their emotions. And of course they rhyme – he is a poet after all!

A fun fact about Mark? He really, really, really likes board games.

Mark’s role as our independent judge means he will be reviewing shortlisted entries chosen by the editorial team and whittling them down to the winning pieces. His expertise, honed over years of performing and mentoring, ensures that he brings a unique perspective to the judging process. 

Mark isn’t just looking for technical skill (although that’s important too); he’s looking for writing that feels alive - that has something to say and says it with passion. He has a knack for spotting pieces that stand out, whether they make him laugh, cry, or simply marvel at their creativity.

If you’d like more information about Mark, whether that’s his poetry, books, podcasts, school visits or teacher training, you can find everything you need on his website: www.markgrist.com