Acclaimed authors Mick Herron and Simon Mason joined us to meet with Senior and Junior Book Groups respectively on Tuesday 21st November. Following this, the English Department’s Literary Society (LitSoc) hosted a short Q&A and book signing in The Theatre.
Themes of discussion included deciding upon a narrative, approaching publishers, and becoming a successful writer. Both authors shared insightful experiences and the boys present took plenty of notes to support their understanding.
Mick Herron is possibly the foremost thriller writer working in this country and has achieved considerable acclaim not only for his series of Jackson Lamb/Slow Horses novels, but for the scintillating Apple TV screen adaptation starring Gary Oldman. Mick has been described as ‘the new king of the spy thriller’ and ‘the John le Carre of our generation’. The Senior Book Group (V, 6.1, 6.2 and staff) has been reading Slow Horses this term.
Simon Mason writes brilliant crime fiction for both young adults and older readers. His Garvie Smith series is routinely the most popular offering in classroom ‘Reading Roulette’ sessions and is superbly observed, poignant and thrilling. His novels for older readers have been described as ‘Inspector Morse for the 2020s’; A Killing in November and The Broken Afternoon are both Oxford-based thrillers of genuine tension, empathy, and shock. The Junior Book Group (S, R) has been reading Running Girl this term.
Mr Alex Nash, Head of English, organised the evening and what a success it was!
