Author Sarah Govett returned to the RGS in the Trinity Term for what was her third visit to the School, giving students a fascinating insight into the realities of modern writing and the creative industries. Already well known for her successful dystopian novels aimed at teenage readers, Sarah has recently broadened her portfolio, turning her attention to screenwriting and psychological crime thrillers for adult audiences.
The day began with a small and informal question-and-answer session in the Library, where students had the opportunity to speak with Sarah about her career, her writing process, and the challenges of life as a professional author. She then addressed Lower Sixth students during their General Studies session, sharing the story of her journey into writing from a career in what she jokingly described as “boring” commercial law. Her account demonstrated that career paths are rarely straightforward and highlighted the value of perseverance, creativity and taking opportunities when they arise.
Sarah went on to explain how crime novels are carefully planned, structured and marketed to readers. Drawing on her own experience, she read extracts from her debut psychological thriller, Believe, before offering students an exclusive preview of its forthcoming sequel, When You Looked Away. Students gained a valuable understanding of how suspense is created and how authors keep readers engaged throughout a narrative.
The second part of her talk focused on screenwriting, a medium that requires a very different set of skills. Sarah explained how screenplays rely far less on detailed description and internal narration, instead using visual storytelling and concise dialogue to communicate ideas and emotions. To illustrate these differences, she shared extracts and clips from her Netflix film T.I.M., allowing students to see how stories are adapted and developed for the screen.
Throughout both sessions, Sarah spoke candidly about the commercial realities of publishing and filmmaking, discussing the expectations of publishers, producers and streaming platforms. Her honesty about the challenges and opportunities within the industry gave students a realistic and engaging perspective on creative careers.
Students responded enthusiastically, asking thoughtful questions in both sessions. The impact of Sarah’s visit was evident when one Lower Sixth student borrowed Believe from the Library the following day, commenting on how much he had enjoyed the talk. It is clear that Sarah’s visit not only informed and entertained but also inspired many of the students she met to think more creatively about storytelling, writing and their own future aspirations.