If those names alone aren't enough for you then think of all the skills workshops you can do such as: school visits, Nielsen knowledge, illustration promotion,  agent submission, plotting expertise, pitching practice and historical fiction.

​Mostly though, it's about meeting, making or catching up with people who 'get you' because they too are up to their eyes in the crazy, beautiful, wonderful up and down world of creating books for children. It is fun, useful, inspiring, motivating and just the best weekend EVER! Last chance to book is 2 November. Do it! Here's the link:  SCBWI Conference

Quick reminder that TODAY I am at Harpenden library from 5pm as part of the National Libraries Week celebrations.

If you're local - pop in and say hello.

Just read an fantastic article all about how we judge our own success and failures as a writer. If you want to read it click here: An Awfully Big Blog Adventure.

From it I have decided to write my writing goals. If I blog them here then it becomes more real and when I (hopefully) achieve them I can read this back and feel all smug and self-satisfied.
1. To see a stranger reading one of my books in public (ideally a train)
2. To have someone I've never met tap me on the shoulder and say, 'Are you Camilla Chester?' - actually this has kind of already happened in the Oxfam shop down the road, so maybe in a bigger place like um, St Pancras Station?
3. To win an award - shortlisted twice is pretty fantastic, but I want to win one!
4.. To get an agent (yes I am doing all this solo)
5. To have at least one book traditionally published (yes, I'm doing all this solo) 
6. To sell books overseas
7. To see one of my books in another language
8. To have a book in hardback
 

There are lots of goals that I have already achieved:
1. To do a book signing
2. To visit a school and a library as an author
3. To sign some scrappy bit of paper just because someone has asked for my autograph
4. To hold a book I have written in my hand
5. To have someone tell me how much they enjoyed reading a book I have written
6. To get nice reviews
7. To connect and become friends with other children's authors
8. To go to a award event because I have been shortlisted

And the one constant goal that I hope I am continually doing is:
TO GROW AND IMPROVE ALL THE TIME AS A WRITER

In the words of Dory from Nemo: Just keep swimming (writing), just keep swimming (writing)

National libraries week (told you I was a Rock Star, just rocking the world) starts on Monday 8 October.

Make sure you support your local library. Here's how: 
Tweet your support at #Libraries Week
Share your stories on line
Use your library and find out what is going on locally
Find out more by going to this link: National Libraries Week

I will be supporting the week because libraries are awesome and I love them. Come and catch me at Harpenden Library, on the High Street on THURSDAY 11 OCTOBER 5PM. 
 

On Wednesday 19 September 3.45-4.45pm I will be at Redbourn Library, for an 'Ask The Author' session. Tickets/spaces have been allocated, but I'm almost positive that you will not be turned away so feel free to just come along. Suitable for anyone aged 7-12 years (and their adults!)
NB: If you're interested in booking an author visit you can find out more by visiting my author visits page or just contact me through my website: Contact Camilla

I've just returned from a smasher of a holiday. No writing done at all but I have been reading a little bit. Forgot to take a picture of the book cover, but whilst lounging around in the sunshine I read Nevermore: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, by Jessica Townsend. As always, if you'd like to see my thoughts you can read my review on Goodreads. 
I'm also ploughing my way through Wolf Hall (a really fat grown-up book) which I will be talking about on Radio Veralum and Talking Pages - when I finally finish it! It is good, but not an easy read and all about Thomas Cromwell who served Henry VIII.
One last thing before I go: To mark the dreaded BACK TO SCHOOL I will be launching a new competition. Watch this space... 

Everyone else and his dog has been going away and now it is my turn. Things will be pretty quiet on here for the next three weeks and I won't be sending out any book orders during that time.
If you need to get in touch I can still pick up emails though.
​Happy holidays!