There's a new podcast on the block called Lit-Picking. It is run by authors Matt Killeen and Chip Coquhoun and the premise is that readers interview authors.

My episode drops this Thursday (28 November) at 5pm and I've been invited to listen along live. 

You can find it by searching Lit-Picking on any of your usual podcast platforms. Or here is the link from the one I use: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lit-picking/id1778220373

It was a lot of fun to be part of and I was lucky enough to meet my interviewers, Felicity and Esme when I visited their school in September. Have a listen live, or check it out later!

Totally delighted to officially announce that I am now officially a Writer-in-Residence for First Story:. firststory.org.uk/writer/camilla-chester/

I am due to start my first residency with Laurette Academy in early December. I'm really excited to be given the opportunity to work with a mixed year group of around twenty students who are all keen to develop their creative writing skills. We will be meeting weekly for sixteen weeks with the aim of producing a published anthology that celebrates group and individual achievements. 

Usually working with KS2 this will be a new challenge for me and who knows, it may even make me return to that teen romance I ditched.

Can't wait to get going and see what the students have to say. 

The main news to tell you all is that Project Pony, my next children's novel, has now been officially announced.

This is such an exciting part of the process as the text is currently with the illustrator and I'm so excited to see what she does, especially with the star of the book - a very cheeky pony called Loki. I have the same illustrator who did the wonderful cover for Call Me Lion, Irinia Avgustinovich, which I'm totally delighted about.

The text has gone to copy edits, once that is approved it has a detailed proof read, then proofs are produced so that reviews can be written and there is a bit of buzz and excitement before the book is released in May 2025

The image on this post is just a screenshot and cuts off my editor's and my quotes so I'll share those with you below. It is such an exciting time, especially as I thought for a while there I might never get another book out. Hold your nerve is a good motto to live by ;) 

Firefly Editor, Hayley Fairhead said: ‘I think every child would love a cheeky furry friend like Loki, especially when coping with difficult friendships and the thought of a new stepdad. Project Pony is a heartwarming tale for animal lovers everywhere and for anyone who has ever felt left out.’
Camilla Chester said: ‘I’m delighted that Firefly are holding the reins for Project Pony – the book I’ve always wanted to write. I’m excited to see Irina Avgustinovich’s cover designs and hope that, just like Call Me Lion, this book will spread joy and empathy through storytelling.’