Meet the author - Ruth Eastham

Author Ruth Eastham visited Priory on Wednesday to meet Year 7 and inspire the next generation of writers.  If the name seems familiar, it’s because she is the sister of Principal, Mr Eastham!

Ruth is a multi-award-winning author of five books - The Memory Cage, The Messenger Bird, Arrowhead, The Warrior in the Mist and the Jaguar Trials. She trained as a teacher at Cambridge University and studied Science but always enjoyed writing. 

“It’s strange as at school I had the choice between carrying on studying history and geography and I chose geography and all my novels are historical! I guess I felt like I missed out,” said Ruth. 

“I did study science but that is what I talk to the pupils about; you can have multiple dreams. You don’t have to follow a particular path. 

“I enjoyed science but I always wrote short stories and poetry and my breakthrough came when I entered a BBC competition to write children’s fiction, to find the next JK Rowling. 

"I was a finalist and that was probably the pivotal moment in my career, that was my inspiration.

“I have travelled a lot and what I always did whenever I went anywhere new is join the nearest writing group."

As a former teacher, Ruth enjoys visiting primary and secondary schools and telling her story as well as inspiring others. 

“I guess it’s a bit strange coming into Priory where my brother is headteacher and I have to call him Mr Eastham but it is nice to be back.

“It’s great to see how it has developed as I think I was last in school in 2011. The gardens are amazing! 

“I love speaking to pupils, offering encouragement and inspiring them to chase their dreams. 

“I always talk about how Philip Pullman spent seven years in a shed writing his Dark Materials and it can be a lonely business so it’s great having writing friends and visiting schools. 

“When I have been in schools, pupils do sometimes send me samples of their work and it's lovely to keep in touch."

Year 7 pupils who would like to order one of Ruth's book and have it signed, should order through the link below before 9pm tonight (3 March) and see English teacher, Miss Smethurt.  Books are £5 each.

https://forms.office.com/e/YQD7a5XZVb

Author Visit - Ruth Eastham