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Award-winning author visits Claremont High School and shares top writing tips

Tuesday 22nd September 2026 saw pens scribbling away at Claremont as Nathanael Lessore, writer of children’s and Young Adult books, spent the day with students and staff alike. His debut novel, Steady For This, won the coveted Branford Boase Award in 2024 and was also shortlisted for that year’s Carnegie Medal, while his second, King of Nothing, won the Older Readers category of the 2025 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

‘Nate’ certainly had a busy day here at Claremont… He began by addressing the Year 7 assembly, inspiring in them a love of reading, before leading two writing workshops with ‘Most Able’ students from years 8 and 9. He talked about his work before sharing advice on effective creative writing – from appealing to all five senses, to ‘showing not telling’. Pupils then wrote their own short stories and poems. The three best were judged by Nate, Ms Dixon and Ms Cameron, who organised the visit, and received a very special prize: a signed copy of King of Nothing. In the afternoon, Nate discussed the editing and publishing process in depth with English A-level students.

He clearly made a big impression on all the pupils he encountered.

'It was a true honour to meet an award-winning author,’ says Anaya Sidar in Year 8. ‘We had a lot of fun discussing poems and short stories and implementing different language techniques in our writing'.

'The session was excellent,’ adds Tom Inniss-Brown, also Year 8. ‘It was terrific to meet a real author and get his opinion on creative writing. I thought it was a great opportunity for us'.

The staff were impressed too.

'It was a fantastic opportunity for our “Most Able” students to work with a bestselling author like Nathanael Lessore,’ says Ms Dixon. ‘They responded really well to his advice on creative writing and produced some excellent work of their own. It was a very enjoyable and productive day!'

‘Nate was inundated at break and lunchtime,’ adds Ms Cameron, ‘I haven’t had the library so full of excited pupils in a long time. Lots of Year 7s were hoping to get his autograph to stick in books at home. I hope he’ll come again!’

And what about Nate? Was he ready for the experience of visiting Claremont High School?

'I had such a lovely time with the most amazing, enthusiastic librarian,’ he replies. ‘The students were a wonderful blend of creative, respectful and social. Seeing how cool the staff were, I can see why the students are thriving. The best day!'