Author Phil Earle goes back to school to give writing masterclass

Phil Earle, who penned the children’s favourites Being Billy and Heroic, dropped into Bootham School in York for the unique class given to youngsters with a flair for fiction.

The decorated author is well known on the children’s literature circuit.

His 2011 debut Being Billy, about a boy in a children’s care home, won the Amazing Book Award and was influenced by his own experience working as a care worker in a residential children’s home which was his first job after leaving university.

Two years later, Heroic was published, which again won praise and was shortlisted for the Booktrust Award.

Steven Oakden, Bootham School’s librarian, said: “Phil’s works are highly regarded. We have all learnt a lot about writing techniques in a very hands-on session.”