Hull-born author Phil Earle returned to Withernsea High School this week where he delivered an entertaining and inspirational talk about his journey from reluctant reader to award-winning writer.

Working with the school’s Year 7 cohort, Mr Earle spoke with great humour and honesty about his journey to becoming an author. Acknowledging his self-confessed status as a non-reader when he was at school, he also spoke openly about earlier struggles with mental health and the various jobs and life-experiences that have subsequently shaped him as a person.

After spending much of his youth outwardly rejecting reading in favour of football and flirting, a job in a bookshop in his mid-20s sparked a passion for children’s literature that has paved the way to his own career as an award-winning author.

Commenting on this inspiration, Mr Earle said: “My life changed direction unexpectedly when I took on a temporary position in the children’s section of a bookshop. It was the best move of my life. The books under my nose there were quite unlike anything else I had read, and quickly I found myself devouring nothing but children’s fiction. It became the springboard to me realising I wanted to try writing for young people.”

Hearing how he suddenly realised just how special, varied and personal creating stories can be, Year 7 were given the chance to ask the author questions surrounding the writers who inspired him, how hard it actually is to make money as a writer and, the most pressing question of all, who is going to win the World Cup?

In addition to the year group presentations, around 20 students were also nominated to attend an authors’ workshop where they worked with Mr Earle on creating prologues for their own stories. After listening to him read the first section from one of his own books for guidance, a series of short tasks followed where students began to develop their own plots and characters, culminating in the creation of finished prologues of their own.    

Students remained engaged and enthused throughout the day. Those in the talks asked great questions about his books and his journey to becoming an author, whilst those in the workshop produced some really entertaining and gripping prologues. 

Following a successful visit in July, where he worked with around 300 Year 7 and 8 students, Mr Earle’s return to Withernsea High School came as part of the school’s continuing drive to develop literacy and promote the benefits of reading across all years.

During the school’s Year 6 transition programme, a copy of Mr Earle’s award-winning book, When The Sky Falls, was given to every student ahead of them joining the school in September. Students were tasked with reading the book over the six-week holidays as part of a summer reading challenge, with the book’s content inspiring the initial tasks set in their first high school English lessons at the start of term.  

Commenting on the day’s activities, Laura Aldridge, Lead for Whole School Literacy and Reading, said: “We were thrilled to be able to welcome Phil Earle back to Withernsea High School.  Following July’s successful talks with Year 7 and 8, and having taken the decision to provide all Year 6 students with a copy of his excellent book When The Sky Falls, we were keen to build on the momentum of the book and further raise the profile of reading and writing for pleasure.

“Events like this are so important for our students.  We know that in a world where sitting still, sitting quietly and devoting time and effort to reading is often forgotten in favour of more dynamic past times, it is so special to be reminded that stories, however they are told and however they are consumed, are precious, fascinating, and moving.

One of the things that always appeals about Phil’s visits is the fact that he is from Hull. It's so valuable for our students to see writers as people not entirely differently from themselves.

His love of Hull City and all things football really helped to engage some of our listeners, and the students impressed us all with their interested and thoughtful questions, their openness towards him and their kind words.

Phil spoke about his own journey as a reader and a writer, making it clear to our students that reading doesn't, and shouldn't ever, need to be something that makes them feel stupid or bored. 

Our world is full of amazing stories, both in the books we read, and in the stories we are yet to tell. Phil's approach in showing us how relevant this is in his own work and life was refreshing and interesting.”  

ABOVE: A select few students were given the opportunity to work with Mr Earle on writing a prologue to their own story, focussing on how they build plot and character so that the reader is compelled to find out more about both.

ABOVE: Mr Earle was warmly received by students, many of whom were keen to have their books signed by the author. 

ABOVE: Mr Earle with Withernsea High School’s Lead for Whole School Literacy and Reading, Laura Aldridge, on his previous visit to the school in July.