From Varjak Paw to Tyger and beyond: The World of SF Said

15:30
- 16:30 pm
Sat 14th March 2026
£6
Step into the world of SF Said—where cats know secret martial arts, boys become stars, and tigers fight for justice. This inspiring session will take you behind the scenes of his books, showing you how an ordinary young reader became an award-winning author. FAMILY PROGRAMME

What do a streetwise cat, a cosmic rebel, and a tiger in a divided city have in common? They’re all heroes in S. F. Said’s unforgettable stories—and they all fight for freedom, identity, and hope. In this inspiring session, S. F. shares how his own journey of how he went from being a young reader and Star Wars fan to writing award-winning, best-selling books such as Varjak Paw, Phoenix and Tyger. The talk will include material about his own childhood reading and writing, his dreams of being an author, and many insights into the writing and editing processes, and how he created his books. He explores how stories can challenge injustice, celebrate difference, and empower young people to imagine new futures. He will read aloud from his latest book Tyger, and there will be the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the talk. The event will be equally suitable for those who’ve read his books and those who haven’t, and it will be suitable for all ages from 7 up, including adults! Expect myth, activism, and a call to dream boldly.

Suitable for: All ages

Malvern St James School

15 Avenue Road
Great Malvern
Worcestershire
WR14 3BA

Want to attend this session?

You can book a ticket to this session, but might be able to save if you get a day ticket or weekend ticket to the festival, which may include this session.