On Thursday of this week the whole of year 8 and two visiting schools were treated to a visit by former RAF pilot and recently turned author Mark Robson. He is now a full-time writer of fantasy fiction and has written more than twelve books. All of his books have strong male and female characters.
He talked about his determination to achieve at school, despite not being the most academic of students, so that he could fulfil his lifelong ambition to be a pilot. However, after many years, three wars and a family he decided a change in career was necessary. While posted to the Faulklands and unable to fly because of the winter conditions, he started to write.
After many rejections, he decided to self-publish his book. With a house full of books he trawled the local book shops trying to persuade them to sell his book. Eventually he was successful and the turning point of his career was being taken on by Simon and Schuster. He now travels the world promoting his books, which are published in several languages.
Mark’s talk was followed by book sales and signing.
The afternoon was spent in the library where a mixture of year 7 and 8 pupils were delighted to take part in a creative writing workshop.
Our guests from Hamble and Quilley schools were equally as impressed with the author as we were!