Author Visit: Wren James

We were delighted to welcome Wren James, an award-winning British YA author, to our school for a series of engaging and inspiring sessions.

Wren shared fascinating insights into their career as both a novelist and graphic novelist, explaining how storytelling can take many forms. Students were particularly interested to hear about the creative process behind writing for graphic novels – from shaping characters and dialogue to working collaboratively with illustrators to bring stories to life visually.

In addition to their work in publishing, Wren also spoke about their experience writing for television, including projects for Netflix, giving students a glimpse into how stories are adapted for the screen and the differences between writing prose and scripts. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to see the wide range of creative pathways that a love of writing can lead to.

Throughout the sessions, Wren explored important themes present in their work, including identity, belonging, mental health, and representation. Their honest and open discussion encouraged students to reflect on their own experiences and highlighted the importance of seeing diverse voices and perspectives in literature and media.

Students took part in thoughtful discussions and creative activities, asking insightful questions and developing their own ideas. The sessions were both inspiring and empowering, leaving many students excited to read more and to try writing themselves.

As a Reading School, we are passionate about connecting students with authors who reflect the diversity and depth of modern storytelling. Wren’s visit was a powerful reminder of how books – in all their forms – can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

We would like to thank Wren James for such a memorable and enriching visit.