Children’s author Phil Earle visits Flint High School

Phil Earle, who has written a vast array of books for young people, spoke to Flint High School students from years 7 to 9, explaining how he came to writing quite by accident.

After leaving university, he did a variety of jobs, including a care worker and drama therapist in a residential children's home, an experience which later inspired two of his books.

Mostafa Harba and Logan Dykins with author Phil Earle.

It was taking on a temporary position in the children's section of a bookshop and beginning to immerse himself in children's fiction that Phil realised he wanted to write for young people and the rest, as they say, is history. Working as a bookseller led to a job in publishing and today, Phil's time is split between selling books for a publisher and writing his own, the most recent being While The Storm Rages.

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Year 10 students were treated to a writing workshop where they were encouraged to explore their creative thinking in small groups, start to develop a storyline and characters, and ultimately write the opening to a prologue of their own using an example of Phil's for inspiration. Phil was able to spend time with the groups and offer advice and guidance.

Author Phil Earle talks to students about his writing career.

Phil also signed and dedicated copies of his books brought in by students or bought from school during break time.

Nicola Paulson, literacy coordinator, organised the visit. She said: "It was a huge honour for Flint High School to host Phil Earle. Our students who attended the talks were thoroughly engaged and inspired as Phil talked about his background and journey into his writing career.

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Lila Jordens and Chelsea Collo.

"Some of our Year 10 students were also lucky enough to participate in a writing workshop which provided them with a unique and memorable opportunity to engage in activities with a wonderful writer. Phil was a huge hit with our students, and we are so grateful to him for taking the time to visit our school."

Year 9 student, Nathan Burrows, said: "I loved it. Phil was so interesting to listen to and so relatable. I am so thankful for the experience."

Phil also took the time to look over some entries for the school's latest reading competition where students were asked to design a front cover for his new book, Until the Road Ends, which is out in June, using just the title and blurb as inspiration for their designs. Phil said that he was impressed by the standard of entries and the creativity students had shown.