‘From Westonbirt to Hollywood’ – alumna and ghost writer kicks off the Westonbirt Lecture series

The Westonbirt Lecture Series for 2023-24 commenced this week with style,  with the return of alumna Dr Sandra Cain Brice to talk about her experience as a ghostwriter in Hollywood.

Dr Cain Brice is a former academic, developing and leading several undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in creative and professional writing at the universities of Southampton and Bournemouth. She has also authored many books, including a textbook entitled, “An Introduction to Media Writing’ (2016). She was a boarding pupil at Westonbirt from 1970 until 1975 and now lives in Los Angeles, working as a professional Hollywood celebrity ghostwriter and screenwriter. Accompanying her and also providing input was writing companion and editor Ms Jodi Fodor.

Dr Cain Brice was visiting the school in order to make notes for her own memoir and was able to deliver talks for our sixth form students as well as the wider community.

She spoke of how she has ghostwritten celebrity memoirs for people ranging from YouTube influencers to explorers. Sadly, she was unable to provide actual names as she has to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when entering contracts. She stated that she will meet clients in order to get to know and understand them before accepting a project and that she has turned down work before on moral grounds, or if she finds that she does not gel with them. The ability to get on with the person is essential as she needs to almost ‘become’ that person and write in their voice.

Dr Cain Brice said:

“It was a real blast to stand up here at my old school and talk, as coming to Westonbirt changed my life. The energy here is different; it’s full of support and love; and I would love to be a student here again.”

The next lecture in the series will be given by the industrialist and explorer, Sir David Hempleman- Adams and will take place on Tuesday 17th October, 6.30-9pm.  Tickets for the lecture can be booked here