We were delighted to welcome back 2004 leaver, Emma Chapman, on Thursday 7^th February to talk about her debut novel ‘How to Be a
Good Wife’ published in January by Picador, widely available now: www.emmajchapman.com

On Thursday 7^th February Emma talked in assembly and in informal Question & Answer sessions on the subject of her eagerly anticipated debut novel ‘How to Be a Good Wife’ published by Picador in January. After studying in the Junior and Senior School, Emma left Withington in 2004 for Edinburgh University where she read English Literature before embarking ona Creative Writing Masters at Royal Holloway under the excellent tutelage of Andrew Motion and Susanna Jones. Harbouring a longstanding passion for creative writing, Emma moved to Western Australia where she started working in earnest on ‘How to be a Good Wife’, dividing her time between working full-time as an Art Gallery manager and her novel, leading to its publication in early 2013 withPicador.  Emma’s novel has received much praise, including reviews in the Guardian and Financial Times. Read all the reviews here.

During her visit to Withington, Emma visited classes where pupils from Lower II to the Sixth Form had the opportunity to ask questions about her
experience as a fiction writer.  All listened with interest as Emma shared her tips for publishing success, the role of literary agents and how a piece of fiction comes together from first draft to published novel. Emma shared “Withington taught me that anything was possible if you are prepared to work hard. Follow your passion and don’t be afraid to follow what you want to do”. While researching material for her second novel in 2012, Emma helped found the Central Highlands Volunteers, a local charity in the Central Highlands of Vietnam which invites native English speakers to volunteer in local communities and teach English.

We were very pleased Emma came back to Withington and we eagerly await news of her future projects.