Camilla Chester - Children's Author
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Call Me Lion is Hitting the Big Time!

28/8/2022

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I had a fantastic surprise this weekend as Call Me Lion was reviewed in The Guardian by Imogen Russell Williams. This is a really BIG DEAL. Very few newspapers now feature book reviews and even less children's book reviews which means a large national paper like this can make a real difference in terms of a book's notoriety.

I'm thrilled that Call Me Lion was not only mentioned but received such high praise. In The Guardian's August list of 'Best New Children's Books' Call Me Lion was featured alongside a very prgistidegous list of authors, including fellow SCBWI members, Patrice Lawrence and Joe Coelho (who, if you don't know, is the current Children's Laureate). 

It's thrilling news and could mean a real difference in both sales and reach to readers. As you already know Call Me Lion is all about creating positive ripples. It's a book that can only do good things in this world we all share.

My grin could not be wider.
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What Next?

22/8/2022

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I'm off to Cornwall on a 'learn to surf holiday' with my family so won't be around for a while BUT following the success of the Summer of Fun library visits in South Wales I am planning on returning for 3 dates in October (10,11,12) for school visits. If you're a primary school in the Caephilly region and would like me to visit then check out my author page for more information and get in touch as I'd love to hear from you.

I will be back dog walking, writing and organising local afternoon school visits from 1st September, in the meantime, look out for Call Me Lion in a bookshop near you and if you've read it and would like to share your review please do so on Goodreads and/or Amazon. Remember you can always send your  book reviews to me via my contact me page too.

Thanks always for your support!
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South Wales Library Visits

19/8/2022

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I had a wonderfully warm welcome at both libraries in South Wales. 

The staff at Blackwood had bilingual posters and it was excellent to see my visit advertised in Welsh.

The news of Call Me Lion had created quite a crowd. The children were really engaged and interested. They were full of ideas about alternative ways to communicate other than speaking. 
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Blaenavon Library was nestled in the very impressive Heritage Centre and the views from the cafe were beautiful. The room was laid out beautifully, but due to staffing issues I ended up moving the talk to the play scheme across the road! Huge thanks to Bettina and my helper sisters, Nancy and Grace!
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I loved my visit to South Wales so much that I am planning a return. The week commencing 3 October I will be be touring schools in the Caerphilly region. If you would like me to visit your school then please contact me. You can find more information and download a pack about the Welsh visits by visiting my author page.
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Thank you to The Reading Agency for organising the Summer of Fun library visits and watch out South Wales because I'll be back!
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Where Next?

15/8/2022

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As if the tour of book shops in Scotland wasn't enough for me, I'm now off to South Wales!

I'll be at Blackwood Library 11-12 and Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Library 2.30-3.30pm on Wednesday (17/8).

It is part of The Reading Agency initiative to promote libraries in Wales and I'm really excited to be part of the Summer of Fun events. 

Both are completely free to attend, so do pop along if you're in the area for lots of Call Me Lion fun! 

I'd really like to get some school visits organised for the new academic year so do get in touch if you'd like me to come to your school. I love author visits and you can find out more from my author visits page. 
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Made the Newspapers!

15/8/2022

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The epic tour of book shops in Scotland made the papers! You can read the article here:
Camilla makes the papers
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Scottish Book Shop Tour

13/8/2022

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The Scottish Book Shop Tour to promote Call Me Lion in Scotland is now officially over. 

I could fill a book with everything that Sarah Broadley and I have done over the last week and it has been impossible to pick out the highlights because there have been so many.

I'm still in Edinburgh in the beautiful sunshine. Everyone here is complaining about the heat, but to me it feels wonderful and nothing even close to the scary Climate Change temperatures of the south.

I'll be attending the Edinburgh Book Festival official opening tonight and heading home tomorrow. It will be nice to be anonymous again and let other authors do the work tonight I've been photographed more over the last week than I have in my entire life!

I promise I'll do a more detailed blog post (or maybe two or three) of our adventures, but for now here are some facts and figures (NB: Remember if you want to see more go to Instagram or Twitter and use the hashtags #CallMeLion #CMLScottishBookShopTour)
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Places visited: Edinburgh, Falkirk, Stirling, Glasgow, Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Aberdeen, Inverness and Aviemore.
Number of Book shops visited: Eighteen
Number of books signed: Lost count
Number of window displays: One BUT Call Me Lion was in the window in three shops in total.
​Number of steps walked: over 100,000
Number of books sold: lost count
Number of people we talked to: hundreds!
Number of train journeys: ten
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Number of delicious mint choc chip ice creams eaten on Portobello Beach with my fab friend Sarah: ONE!

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Award Nominations for Call Me Lion

2/8/2022

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Yes, it is completely TRUE!

Call Me Lion received enough nominations to go through the first round of the very first Write Blend Awards. 

I'm absolutely thrilled that I get to use such an amazing sticker and to know that Lion is already making waves in the book world. 

If you're on Twitter you can help by voting for Call Me Lion. Sadly, I am up against fellow debut authors so if I don't get through to the next round I'll at least be happy for my friends! 

To vote: Go to Twitter, search for @WriteBlendbooks and in their pinned tweet Call Me Lion is in the 2nd round of MG titles. Or you can try this link: Vote For Call Me Lion

​Thank you so much!
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