I am joining in with the heroic fundraising efforts of The British Red Cross. You can find out more by clicking on this link: school-visit-from-childrens-author-camilla-chester
In summary, lots of different authors have come together to offer various gifts for auction. The money raised will all go to the people affected by the horrific fire at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, London. Please help by bidding for anything you like the look of and TELLING everybody you know about it. Many thanks!
Just started to read another book from the Carnegie shortlist. Find out on Monday who the winner is!  I am in the local paper today. I had a fantastic article that was supposed to go in, but apparently politics is more important than culture (who knew?!) so I only got a couple of lines that went in the 'What's On' section. Boo!
Who needs newspapers? Here is the article in it entirety: Inspiring local children’s author Camilla Chester celebrates the release of her second book “EATS” with a signing at Harpenden Books on Saturday 17th June at 2-3pm. “Bulging out of his dinner jacket, his white-streaked hair combed up and back with waxy grease, the chef looked like a fat badger. Lucas thought Leonardo was the greatest, because no matter how much cheese he ate he would never, ever be as big as him.” Chapter 1 “EATS” “EATS”, suitable for 8+ year olds is a culinary adventure tale full of twists and turns that will have kids on the edge of their seat.. It features two boys trying to make is as celebrity chefs even though one of them can’t cook. It is very accessible, with witty dialogue, strong characters tapping into the national obsession with competition television. “A delicious story with all the best ingredients - friendship, fun, adventure - and a bone chilling twist." Helen Moss, Author of Adventure Island series “EATS”, published by Matador follows Camilla’s debut novel “Jarred Dreams”, which was shortlisted for the National Literary Trust New Author Prize 2015. “Jarred Dreams” is a dark thriller about a gutsy heroine Sade who moves into a sinister new neighbourhood and has to put things right. Through both novels, Camilla demonstrates a skilled use of descriptive language and a real stylistic range which is exciting for young readers. Camilla explains “I aim to create stories for children that they can fall into with characters that they remember. I try to write books that children will want to keep so that they can read them again and again and share them with their friends.” “I believe that if you learn a love of reading from an early age, the joy of books will stay with you forever” Camilla continues. This is why she works hard to circulate around local schools with inspiring writing workshops. She has even involved them in naming a character in her new book. Camilla was one of the judges of the St. Albans Literary Festival 2016 Junior Short Story competition which she found very rewarding. She is also a regular on Radio Veralum’s book discussion programme “Talking Bookshelf” aimed particularly at people with visual impairments. I asked Camilla what her secret is for beginning a new book. “I usually start with the idea of a baddie and what that he or she wants to do. I then build up from there. I'm a planner - I can't just write straight onto a blank page, I have to know who is who and what is happening.” .Camilla who is a busy mother of two, horse rider and dog walker is currently finishing her third book “The Thirteenth Wish” which she hopes to publish next year. Deborah Heath Good eh? Deborah is a writer herself, she has just finished a junior play all about Boudicca and she is very much involved in the St Albans Literary Festival. Don't forget to come to Harpenden Books this Saturday between 2-3pm if you're local. It is a free author talk/workshop suitable for 8-12s. Hope to see you there! Last night I was at a SCBWI event entitled "What Makes A Bestseller". One of the three panelists was Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series.
I am kicking myself that I didn't get a selfie with her, or her autograph. Now, nobody is going to believe me and my daughter Sasha (who LOVES her books) is very disappointed. Oops. She seems very nice by the way...warm, friendly, not the kind to investigate grisly murders at all!
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January 2020
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