The four finalists in the School's Novel Writing Competition enjoyed an evening with acclaimed thriller writer Annabel Kantaria, who shared valuable insights into the craft of writing and the realities of the publishing world.

Meeting over dinner at Pizza Express, the students discussed their developing manuscripts and received individual feedback on their work. Annabel also offered guidance on the next steps for completing a novel, as well as practical advice on approaching literary agents and preparing a manuscript for submission.

Generous with both her time and expertise, Annabel gave the finalists an invaluable opportunity to learn from an established author. The evening provided encouragement, inspiration and a greater understanding of what it takes to bring a novel from first draft to publication, with a pizza supper proving an added bonus.