Author inspired by Tolkein

An author has inspired students to read more and get writing.
Author Joseph Delaney meets pupils at Fleetwood High SchoolAuthor Joseph Delaney meets pupils at Fleetwood High School
Author Joseph Delaney meets pupils at Fleetwood High School

Preston author Joseph Delaney, famed for his Spooks series books, spoke to Year 7 students at Fleetwood High School about his work and his career.

He read an extraction from his latest book and enlightened the young students about the importance and delights of reading.

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The event culminated an in depth look at literature which incorporated World Book Day earlier this month.

Joseph spoke about his early career and some of the difficulties he encountered along the way as he wrote his Spooks books.

He also chatted about the making of the book into a movie and the challenges that

involved. Pupil Mark Anthony Bairstow said: “It was good to hear the actual author reading his own book.

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“I am going to start and read the Arena 13 books because they sound great.”

Born in 1945, Joseph Delaney started his working life as an apprentice fitter but went on to study for a degree at Lancaster University.

He worked as an English teacher at Blackpool Sixth Form College where he helped to set up the media and film studies department.

He identifies J R R Tolkien and Frank Herbert as two authors who were his biggest

inspirations.

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Throughout the reading event the school’s Learning Resource Centre had lots of activities for pupils to enjoy, all based around books and reading.

These included book quizzes, designing their own bookmarks, word searches, design a book token, and ‘guess the book in the jar’ with lots of prizes on offer.

In class the Year Eight pupils took part by delivering a presentation to the Year Seven pupils.

As part of the Leading Edge Award the pupils delivered a speech about the importance of reading and different ways everyone could celebrate the 20th anniversary of World Book Day.

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They then organised the Year Sevens into groups to form a discussion about favourite books, with each class voting on their favourite.

Year Eight pupil Lucy Birch said: “I was nervous at first standing in front of the class .

“But they were really good and everyone took part and I really enjoyed the experience.”

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