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 Would you write about a schizophrenic boy in 1939, 18th century grave-robbers, a pre-Raphaelite model or a futuristic encounter with Pandora’s Box? All these odd subjects and many more are used in novels by Julie Hearn.
Julie travelled from Oxford recently to meet Hereford Cathedral School students from years 8 & 9 and the school’s Book Clubs to discuss her writing, and to face their questions!
She talked about how she finds inspiration for her novels and how fascinated she is by the subjects she researches—frequently finding fact stranger than fiction!
Shortlisted last year for the prestigious Carnegie medal prize for children’s fiction, Julie Hearn writes challenging historical novels which tackle universal themes; often surprising herself with her fiction. Julie said: “The character just wouldn’t work, but when I looked back over what I had written, I suddenly realised…Carroty Kate was a man! I phoned my editor and asked her ‘can I have a transvestite as a character?!’”
During the lecture, Julie Hearn also used a slide show of her book covers to demonstrate how sometimes, especially in America, publishers choose the wrong cover design and can even change the title. An aspect of publishing that fascinated the large Cathedral School audience.
Clare Adamson, Hereford Cathedral School’s Librarian said:
“This was a fantastic day enjoyed by all and Julie’s books are flying off the Library shelves!”
Author Julie Hearn adding:
“I had a lovely time at Hereford Cathedral School yesterday.”
“Your year eight and nine students were a delight to work with - a credit to the school. It makes such a difference when students are as familiar with my work as yours clearly were, and interested enough to ask questions.”
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