I believe that if you learn a love of reading from an early age the joy of books will stay with you forever (although I don't think my dog, Stanley, is listening).
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'm lucky to have readers who are supportive and encouraging of the books I write.
"Please let us know when your next book is due to be published. I know a lot of children who will want to read it."
Kate Harvey, Head of Beech Hyde Primary.
"Camilla writes with a vintage air. Her stories are adventurous, positive and fun. The perfect salve to reality."
Zena Knox, YA Author
If you would like to buy a personalised book please visit my buy books page.
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'm lucky to have readers who are supportive and encouraging of the books I write.
"Please let us know when your next book is due to be published. I know a lot of children who will want to read it."
Kate Harvey, Head of Beech Hyde Primary.
"Camilla writes with a vintage air. Her stories are adventurous, positive and fun. The perfect salve to reality."
Zena Knox, YA Author
If you would like to buy a personalised book please visit my buy books page.
For a quick overview of my books please watch my video
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If, after watching the video, you want to know a little more about my books then please read on.
Remember I am always happy to hear from you, especially if you are interested in arranging an author visit. If you would like to get in touch for whatever reason, please visit my contact me page. Thank you!. |
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About Thirteenth Wish
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My most recent book, Thirteenth Wish, is probably best described by the blurb:
When Jayden discovers a hidden room on his thirteenth birthday, he hopes it means trouble for his stepdad, Gary. Instead he finds himself battling through unbelievable encounters with Pip, his pyjama-wearing side-kick, in the biggest adventure of his life. The boys need Sally before they are lost from the world forever. Or maybe this quote from award winning children's author, Elizabeth Dale: “What a riveting read! When I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down. I was immediately drawn into the mystery of the strange world that lies beyond the secret room in Jayden's stepdad's house. A world where animals and objects disappear before your eyes, where you are never hungry and nothing seems to last except an old tent... Camilla Chester has written a great book for all readers who love mystery and adventure, who enjoy being drawn into strange magical worlds and who will relish the challenge of trying to work out for themselves just what is going on and why... and how to help Jayden resolve his problems. It will keep them gripped to the end.” "Daisy finished Thirteenth Wish by Camilla Chester last night and is suffering a serious book hangover! She didn't want it to end." TBC member Kel Mason 9/5/18 |
Me: How are you getting on with Thirteenth Wish, Jasleen?
Jasleen: I haven't started it yet. I'm saving it until my holiday because I know once I start I won't be able to put it down. 10/5/18
Jasleen: I haven't started it yet. I'm saving it until my holiday because I know once I start I won't be able to put it down. 10/5/18
About Jarred Dreams
Jarred Dreams is my debut novel. It is recommended for readers 10+ (although my youngest reader is 6 and my oldest 86).
Described as "gripping", "intriguing" and "brilliant" it tells the story of a ghoul who steals children's dreams, storing them in jars in his cellar.
The Blurb:
Through the silent, grey streets of Stanbridge he creeps, the Dream Thief who captures the joy of children's dreams and drains the colour from their lives. Until the day that 12-year-old Sade moves into town with her bright blonde curls and love of art...
Sade knows something is terrible wrong, but can she find out what it is before she loses everything she loves including her own dreams?
Of course I think it is great and that you should buy it, for you, for a child you know OR if you're a teacher or school librarian, why not order it for your school?
Described as "gripping", "intriguing" and "brilliant" it tells the story of a ghoul who steals children's dreams, storing them in jars in his cellar.
The Blurb:
Through the silent, grey streets of Stanbridge he creeps, the Dream Thief who captures the joy of children's dreams and drains the colour from their lives. Until the day that 12-year-old Sade moves into town with her bright blonde curls and love of art...
Sade knows something is terrible wrong, but can she find out what it is before she loses everything she loves including her own dreams?
Of course I think it is great and that you should buy it, for you, for a child you know OR if you're a teacher or school librarian, why not order it for your school?
Great Book For Y6 Curriculum
"I would definitely use Jarred Dreams as the guided reading text for Y6, not only for its quality use of punctuation but for the story line itself. The language is very descriptive, the vocabulary is extensive and there are changing viewpoints. The book content relates directly to the curriculum and opens up the opportunity for classroom discussion. " Alice Finney, Y6 & PSHCE Teacher, Cunningham Hill Junior School.
If you are a teacher, librarian, or part of a school, please take a look at my school visits page.
If you are a teacher, librarian, or part of a school, please take a look at my school visits page.
Meet Ellie (one of my readers)
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Personalised Copies Make Great Presents
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These are photos sent to me by a mum who bought a personalised copy of Jarred Dreams for her daughter, Josie, following a school visit I did.
I was so chuffed to receive them because just look at the delight on her face. My book did that - how cool is that?! For a moment there I felt like JK Rowling! Thank you so much Josie - keep the book because you never know what the future holds! |
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Book Trailer: Jarred Dreams (made by kids!)
About EATS
EATS is my second children's fiction novel, suitable for ages 8+ and is completely unconnected to Jarred Dreams. It has been compared to Roald Dahl's style and is not meant to be taken too seriously.
It was shortlisted in the 2017 Winchester Children's Funny Fiction Award, judged by Little Tiger Press, receiving "Highly Commended" status from the Winchester Literary Festival.
EATS is the story of Lucas Larks, a budding vegetarian chef and his best friend Brian Tucker. The boys win a cooking contest...I'll let the blurb take over: When best mates Lucas and Tucker win a competition to cook with celebrity chefs everything comes to a boil. Can they stir up trouble and serve the just desserts in time?
Set in the present day, EATS is a culinary adventure tale for children aged 8-12. It is full of twists and turns that will have kids on the edge of their seat.
“A rip-roaring Dahl-esq romp that will have kids gripped.”
“CNPID”
“Fantastic!”
“Brilliant!”
“Loved it!”
“A delicious story with all the best ingredients - friendship, fun, adventure - and a bone-chilling twist.” Helen Moss, Author of Adventure Island and Secrets of the Tombs series.
EATS was launched on 29 April 2017 and is now available to buy from the website, Amazon and all good book shops! More information about buying Camilla's books.
What's Next?
I have finished book 4, entitled Darna's Sky, largely set in Singapore. The book was a finalist in the Mslexia Children's Novel Competition 2019 which led to me signing with an agent (Laura West at David Higham Associates). Laura and I are now working together to find a traditional publisher for Darna's Sky. In the meantime I am currently drafting book 5, which at the moment is called LION. The story is about a boy with Selective Mutism and is set in Luton during a Heatwave.
As a sideline to writing LION I have also written my first non-fiction picture book entitled Can You Find Your...Dog? This is the pitch: A comic cat narrator uses the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ format to present a funny, interactive, non-fiction dog breeds book for children aged 4+. Can You Find Your…Dog? is That’s Not My Puppy meets Dog Encyclopedia For Kids. Unfortunately it's not found a publishing home yet. I am also writing a series of Picture Books about all the dogs I walk. The first one Walks With....Dudley is currently with my agent, Laura.
I also have three new stories that I wrote for Serial Mash. The first is a re-telling of the classic fairytale, Rumplestiltskin and was out September 2018. The second book, Percy the Poorly Pony, was my first attempt at writing for KS1. It was well received so I was asked to write another KS1 story using the same characters. This one I called Bramble The Bold and came out in January 2019. I have just finished my latest story, The Golden Apple Tree became available for Serial Mash users in September 2019. It was a fun story to write and based on the fable of The Three Brave Princesses. I have been given another commission to produce my sixth book for Serial Mash with a deadline of April 2020. This will be the first book in a series of stories about a girl who moves to live near a City Farm.
Since January 2019 I've be working with the Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford on their Catching Words Project. This means working with different schools in East London to help them create their own class book. It is a wonderful organisation and a fantastic project and I am thrilled to be part of again in 2020. If you're interested in finding out more about the Catching Words Project for your school: Click Here.
As usual I am also out and about a lot on different visits and appearances. If you would like to keep up with everything I am up to, please take a look at my blog.
As a sideline to writing LION I have also written my first non-fiction picture book entitled Can You Find Your...Dog? This is the pitch: A comic cat narrator uses the ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ format to present a funny, interactive, non-fiction dog breeds book for children aged 4+. Can You Find Your…Dog? is That’s Not My Puppy meets Dog Encyclopedia For Kids. Unfortunately it's not found a publishing home yet. I am also writing a series of Picture Books about all the dogs I walk. The first one Walks With....Dudley is currently with my agent, Laura.
I also have three new stories that I wrote for Serial Mash. The first is a re-telling of the classic fairytale, Rumplestiltskin and was out September 2018. The second book, Percy the Poorly Pony, was my first attempt at writing for KS1. It was well received so I was asked to write another KS1 story using the same characters. This one I called Bramble The Bold and came out in January 2019. I have just finished my latest story, The Golden Apple Tree became available for Serial Mash users in September 2019. It was a fun story to write and based on the fable of The Three Brave Princesses. I have been given another commission to produce my sixth book for Serial Mash with a deadline of April 2020. This will be the first book in a series of stories about a girl who moves to live near a City Farm.
Since January 2019 I've be working with the Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford on their Catching Words Project. This means working with different schools in East London to help them create their own class book. It is a wonderful organisation and a fantastic project and I am thrilled to be part of again in 2020. If you're interested in finding out more about the Catching Words Project for your school: Click Here.
As usual I am also out and about a lot on different visits and appearances. If you would like to keep up with everything I am up to, please take a look at my blog.
Reviews
You can read reviews of Thirteenth Wish, EATS and Jarred Dreams by looking them up on Amazon.co.uk. There are also a few on Goodreads (see below).
There is a review of EATS on The Letterpress Project site which you can read by clicking on the link, but please be warned it contains a few spoilers! Letterpress Review of EATS
I am always keen to receive positive reviews. They make a big difference in encouraging school bookings, book sales and telling new readers that I exist and they might want to give my books a go, so if you've read any of my books please review them if you can. If you don't want to, just star rate the book. You'll be helping me out!
You can always email me your reviews, if you prefer and I will try to post them up on the blog: email me. Thank you!
There is a review of EATS on The Letterpress Project site which you can read by clicking on the link, but please be warned it contains a few spoilers! Letterpress Review of EATS
I am always keen to receive positive reviews. They make a big difference in encouraging school bookings, book sales and telling new readers that I exist and they might want to give my books a go, so if you've read any of my books please review them if you can. If you don't want to, just star rate the book. You'll be helping me out!
You can always email me your reviews, if you prefer and I will try to post them up on the blog: email me. Thank you!