Award-Winning Author Visits RGS Worcester
Last week, we were delighted to welcome award-winning author Julian Sedgwick to RGS Worcester for a special visit. Julian is the author of six children’s books and co-author of the graphic novel Dark Satanic Mills and the illustrated novel Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black.
Before becoming a writer, Julian studied Chinese Studies and Philosophy at Cambridge University and worked in a variety of roles, including bookseller, painter, researcher, script developer for film and TV, and shiatsu therapist. His diverse experiences have helped shape his storytelling, making his books particularly engaging for young readers.
For the past three years, Julian has been the Patron of Reading at Leighton Park School and has visited over 150 schools across the UK and internationally. During his visit to RGS Worcester, he spoke with pupils from Years Seven and Eight, sharing insights into his writing journey. At lunchtime, a book sale and signing event in the Library gave pupils the exciting opportunity to meet him in person and have their books signed.
Library Supervisor, Miss Ellie Tustain shared the following about Julian’s recent visit: “We were delighted to welcome Julian Sedgwick to RGS. His engaging presentations and passion for storytelling captivated pupils, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for reading. He spoke about Tsunami Girl and Tokyo Ghost Café, exploring themes of resilience, hope, and the influence of Japanese culture on his writing. Pupils were fascinated by his research in Japan, his journey to becoming a writer, and, of course, the eerie Japanese ghost stories he shared! Author visits like Julian’s are key to enriching the reading experience, inspiring pupils to write, and promoting reading for pleasure. Since his visit, I have received lots of positive feedback from both staff and pupils, and his books have been in high demand. It has been fantastic to see so many pupils feeling inspired.”
Julian wrote to say how much he enjoyed such a well organised visit and how impressed he was by the pupils and the School.
Julian’s visit was a fantastic source of inspiration, encouraging our pupils to explore the world of storytelling and deepen their love of reading. His books continue to resonate with young readers, and we are certain that his visit left a lasting impact on RGS pupils!
