AN award-winning novelist has taken part in a Skype conversation with English students in Worcester who are studying her book.

The students from the English Literature A-level course at Worcester Sixth Form College spoke to Evie Wyld about her latest novel, All the Birds, Singing, which they are currently studying for their coursework.

Paul Morris, head of English, said: "It is terrific how technology can allow students in their classroom here in Worcester Sixth Form College to have an in-depth face-to-face discussion about the book they have been studying with the actual writer sitting in her study in London.

"If only we could also do this with Shakespeare!"

In 2014, Wyld won the Miles Franklin Award – Australia’s equivalent of the Man Booker Prize – and in 2013 was named one of Granta’s Twenty Best Young British Novelists, a list published every ten years and which has previously spotted future literary superstars like Martin Amis, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ian McEwan, Jeanette Winterson, and Zadie Smith.

James Lister, subject leader for English Literature, said: “It’s important that students of literature are aware of contemporary fiction as well as the classics.

"So often, literature students have to speculate about writers’ intentions because they’re exploring texts written hundreds of years ago.

"But with Evie, the students were able to directly access her thoughts by asking her specific questions.”

Melissa Quinney, second year student who has applied to read English and Creative Writing at Birmingham University, said: “It was an exciting experience to connect with Evie on a personal level. She was very inspirational and I will be able to quote her in my essay.”

Evie Wyld later said that the Skype discussion with the students was “a real pleasure” and that she was delighted to be asked such challenging questions.

The call took place on Tuesday, March 21.