Author Griselda Heppel Inspires Pupils with Talk on Storytelling, Gothic Literature and Her New Book

Pupils in Years 7 and 8 enjoyed an inspiring visit this week from award‑winning children’s author Griselda Heppel, who returned to King’s College to speak about her latest book and the creative influences behind her writing.

A former pupil at King’s, Griselda was among the first cohort of girls admitted into the Sixth Form. She shared how her childhood in Germany profoundly shaped her imagination, nurturing a love of fairy tales, myths and magic that continues to influence her storytelling today.

Exploring the Origins of Gothic Storytelling

During the talk, Griselda introduced pupils to the origins of Gothic literature, tracing how early writers built the foundations of the first ghost stories. This proved a timely connection for our pupils, who have just begun studying Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in their English lessons. Her insights offered a deeper understanding of the genre and brought their classroom learning vividly to life.

Inside the Writer’s Mind: Griselda’s Creative Process

Griselda also revealed her own creative process, outlining the three essential ingredients she believes every story needs a character, a setting and a problem.

With these elements in place, she explained, ideas begin to grow, shift and take shape, eventually blossoming into a fully realised narrative.

Pupils were treated to a reading from her newest book, ‘The Fall of a Sparrow’, a moment that captured the room’s attention and left many eager to discover what happens next. The session concluded with a book signing, giving pupils the chance to meet Griselda individually and take home their own signed copies.

Inspiring Young Writers in the National Year of Reading

The excitement was palpable as pupils left the Woodard room, inspired not only by the story they had glimpsed, but also by Griselda’s message about imagination, persistence and the joy of creating worlds through words. This event was a fantastic opportunity for our young writers to learn from an accomplished author and to ignite their passion for reading and writing.

Griselda’s visit is especially meaningful as we celebrate the National Year of Reading, reinforcing our commitment to nurturing a lifelong love of books and storytelling across the school.