Head of English Mr. Pidgeon Launches Debut Novel, The Haunting of Hern Hall
We’re thrilled to celebrate an exciting milestone for our Head of English, Mr. Pidgeon, whose debut novel, The Haunting of Hern Hall, has just been published.
Set in the eerie aftermath of World War I, this ghostly tale promises to be as captivating as the English lessons Mr. Pidgeon brings to life at Radnor. We caught up with him to learn more about his journey as an author and the inspiration behind his haunting new book.
Congratulations on publishing your first book, The Haunting of Hern Hall! What inspired you to write this story?
A Boxing Day walk in the mist around Chiddingstone village got me thinking about ghostly things...
The Haunting of Hern Hall is quite a captivating title! Can you tell us a bit about the plot and themes of the book?
An aristocratic family are grieving the death of their eldest son in World War One. An unexpected visitor arrives who claims to have served alongside him. This triggers a series of strange, supernatural events.
Hern Hall sounds intriguing—did you base it on a real place, or is it purely fictional?
It's fictional—but exploring the twisting staircases at Radnor House certainly gave me an insight into life in a historic mansion...
How did your background in teaching English influence your writing process? Did your work with students inspire any part of the story?
We are always teaching wonderful stories here—creativity and imagination are at the heart of English teaching. I always read a ghost story to students during the autumn term, so that was certainly an inspiration.
What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing? How did you overcome it?
Trying to write in the evenings after a busy day teaching and with a busy home life. I burnt the midnight candle more than once...
When did you first realize you wanted to write a book? Was this a long-time goal for you, or did the idea develop more recently?
It's always been my ambition to publish a novel. Writers inspire me.
For your students and aspiring writers, what advice would you give on finding inspiration or staying committed to a project like this?
Take time to look at what's happening around you—get away from the screen—explore the world—get inspired.
Now that you’ve published your first book, do you plan to write more? Perhaps even a sequel to The Haunting of Hern Hall?
I hope to have another book published next year... So, if you enjoy The Haunting of Hern Hall, stay tuned!
What do you hope readers will take away from The Haunting of Hern Hall? Is there a message or feeling you’d like them to leave with?
It's a story of the power of the bond that connects those we love. Nothing can stand in its way.
Finally, how does it feel to achieve this milestone? And is there anyone you’d like to thank or acknowledge who supported you along the way?
My wife, Simonne, is my greatest supporter and inspiration—without her this book would not have been written. I also want to thank the amazing English Faculty at Radnor—Lottie, Lily, Vivienne, Kay, and George—who inspire me every day with their passion for literature.
The Haunting of Hern Hall is now available for readers eager to immerse themselves in its ghostly tale on Amazon. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Pidgeon on this outstanding accomplishment and look forward to his future literary endeavors!
