We are delighted to welcome to the English Department award-winning author Catherine Bruton, who will also be running the SMC Writers’ Guild, a space for young writers of all ages to plot, plan, scribble and find their voices; an opportunity for Calne poets, playwrights and fiction writers to meet other future best-sellers, and find out about local, national and international competitions and other writing opportunities. 

Catherine Bruton is the critically acclaimed author of titles including the multi-award winning No Ballet Shoes in Syria, the classical ‘spin-off’ tales Another Twist in the Tale and Following Frankenstein (described by The Guardian as ‘the perfect gateway to the classics’) and the much-loved Somersaults and Dreams series which she writes under the pen-name Cate Shearwater. Catherine, who has been teaching for nearly 30 years, is passionate about encouraging young writers. She was recently awarded a Teacher Trailblazer Award by the National Poetry Society. Her latest novel Bird Boy recently featured as The Times Children’s Book of the Week and was described by Book Trust as ‘another Bruton masterpiece’. This story of migration, conservation and healing through nature is already garnering critical attention and awards listings.