ADVICE / SUPPORT & INFORMATION FOR WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS

As a published Children's Author, I find I am being approached more frequently by people asking for information, advice and support about writing, but mainly around how to get a book they are working on published. 

If you've been following my journey, you will know that it took over ten years from when I started talking about being a writer as a 'career' before I became traditionally published.

Writing is a craft and, like all crafts, it takes practice. I'm always thrilled when I hear people are writing, but, the hard truth is that not all writing is publishable. 

If you are serious about building a career as a children's author and/or illustrator, the most important place to start is the Writers & Artists Yearbook, as modelled here by my gorgeous dog, Stanley.

The yearbook is packed with all kinds of articles about craft and the publishing industry. There's lists of competitions, agents and publishers contact details and sets out exactly how the process works.

You can buy the yearbook direct from Bloomsbury (who publish it), or from any bookshop. If buying online please use Bookshop.org rather than Amazon as it supports local bookshops. There should be a copy in your local library but it might be reference only.

I still use the yearbook as a published author and I never feel like I have finished learning my craft. I'm continually growing and developing as an author. 

The other big piece of advice I have is to get involved with the writing community. There is nothing more valuable than peer learning when it comes to developing your craft, whether that is through a course and/or critique groups, or just chatting.

I started by doing an OU Diploma and joining a local writing group. Then I heard about Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators - British Isles (SCBWI -BI) and started going to their events, meeting other authors and eventually volunteering in all kinds of exciting roles. SCBWI - BI is wonderful, running engaging activities and I highly recommend you getting involved. Here is a link to their website: https://www.scbwi.org/regions/british-isles

My long history with SCBWI -BI has led me into working freelance for the events team at Writers & Artists (who create the yearbook). I host the annual online festival purely for Children's Writers and Illustrators that runs the third weekend of March. You can see the 2025 line-up in this picture, which was due to include Alex Wheatle, aka The Brixton Bard, who died suddenly of Prostate Cancer. He is greatly missed. 

I know I'm totally biased, but I cannot recommend the festival more strongly if you're serious about your career as a writer/illustrator. It doesn't matter what stage you're at, whether you've only just started, on whether you have published twenty books, I guarantee that you will benefit from coming.

Mentoring/Coaching Services

I don't claim to know all the answers but I really enjoy offering mentoring/coaching services to fellow children's authors and author illustrators. 

"Camilla is such a great writing coach! She is so knowledgeable about story structure, story planning and writing techniques. Working with her to plan my latest story has really felt like having a secret weapon. It's definitely my story and I'm very proud of it, but without Camilla I would still be in a massive confused heap of half finished outlines!"
Kirsten Percival, Author/Illustrator

I charge a flat rate of £35 p/hour and am completely flexible to your needs. 

We can work together to schedule a programme that works for you. It might be just a one-off session to help you get back on track, or something more regular. I am happy to, meet in person, via zoom, phone or through email.  I can help you to work out structuring of existing or new works-in-progress, offer critique or just be a general sounding board for thoughts and ideas. I'm ready to share what I have learned over the years with you. The service is all about you and your work and I'm here to help in any way you think would be most useful. 

"Camilla's feedback and suggestions for my writing are so insightful and full of wonderful ideas to help keep me on track. Camilla gives very detailed information that really helps you deep dive with characters. Highly recommend working with Camilla!​"
Emma Finlayson-Palmer

I look forward to hearing from you if and when you're ready. Contact me about mentoring/coaching.