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Author event to see Nathanael Lessore at Ilford Town Hall 5th February 2026.
BackA group of year 10 students attended the event, which was organised in collaboration with the Library and the English department.
Nathanael is a young British writer who grew up in a North Peckham estate. His work focuses on teenagers and young adults. Celebrating diverse characters, gave Nathanael the opportunity to represent children who otherwise never see themselves in this light in literature.
Nathanael’s first novel “Steady for This” has been shortlisted for the Carnegie Award and many regional prizes, while his follow up book “King of Nothing” won several prizes including the Waterstone’s Prize and the Redbridge Book awards.
His most recent book, “What Happens Online” was published in April 2025.
He is now also a published author in the United States.
From the very start of the event, Nathanael created a strong connection with students by openly sharing his life experiences, including the challenges he faced growing up and how these moments shaped his journey into becoming an author. His honesty, humour and authenticity allowed students to see themselves reflected in his story.
He spoke about the realities of the writing industry, explaining that success doesn’t happen overnight and that passion for storytelling matters more than money at the start.
Nathanael responded to the student’s questions with openness and warmth, sharing insights about self-doubt and the perseverance needed to succeed. His answers helped students understand that becoming an author is a gradual process shaped by passion and belief in yourself.
His novel “The King of Nothing” has been a very popular read amongst the year 9 and 10 students at Loxford.
