Mark Smith

This is the second year in a row that Mark has visited our school to speak with our Year 9 students who are studying “The Road to Winter.” Mark has a unique ability to engage students at their level and provide invaluable insights into the importance of reading and the writing/publishing process. He was incredibly generous with his time, answering student questions, autographing books, and even sending some eager students signed copies of the second book in the “Winter” trilogy. Our students were able to engage more deeply with the book after attending a session with Mark and understanding his character development and thought processes around key themes.

The students not only enjoyed  Mark’s visit to our school, it really did deepen their understanding of the novel. Mark pitches to a Year 9 audience perfectly. His opening memories of why he became a reader hook in even the most resistant students and the break in the middle where students are able to have a chat about what they would want if they were in Finn’s position was timed really well.

Mark knew his subject well and delivered it with energy and humour, often using real life examples to explain why reading is crucial for our students. He was enthusiastic, friendly and imparted great advice about how to write a book, get it published and then to promote it. Both Yr levels and attending teachers were riveted by his talks. So much so, one Yr 8 student didn’t stop talking about Mark with her mum until late into the night. Her mum was a teacher at the school!

Mark was terrific. A lovely, easy manner with the students. Lots and lots of practical, sensible advice too… he was great both with the whole group and also when chatting individually with the students.

Mark’s visit was an enlightening experience, as he shared personal anecdotes, writing tips, and valuable insights with our students.

Mark emphasised that writing isn’t just about inspiration and creativity; it’s about dedication and persistence. For students, this is a crucial lesson to internalise. Writing involves discipline, revision, and pushing through the tough moments.

Our students gained invaluable insights into the novel. Armed with this newfound understanding, our Year 9s are better equipped to explore the themes and unravel the mysteries of The Road to Winter. We will continue to dissect the characters, analyse the plot, and appreciate the craft behind this captivating novel.

We’ve been delighted to host Mark Smith at Ruyton over recent years; his presentations have energised both students and staff alike. His books, filled with engaging stories and relatable themes, spark interest and enthusiasm among our students. During his workshops, he not only made genuine connections with our students, but he also inspired them to explore and develop their own writing talents.

Mark delivered an amazing session, speaking of his own experience as a teenager who was not an avid reader…his delivery had our students glued and totally engaged with lots of questions at the end of the sessions. His talk has lead to a huge uptake in engagement of our students with the Novel in their English classes and has sparked a number of our students to write some amazing stories of their own.

The author talk was an incredible experience that brought the book to life in unexpected ways.  The insights into the themes of survival, resilience, and friendship resonated deeply, and it sparked meaningful conversations among students. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the author’s creative process and connect more personally with the world of The Road to Winter.