Camilla Chester

Camilla Chester received a distinction in a Diploma for Creative Writing and Literacy, and went on to self-publish three children’s novels. She was a finalist in the National Literacy Trust New Author Award 2016 and Mslexia Children’s Novel Award 2019. 
 
Camilla’s children’s novel, Call Me Lion, (Firefly Press, 2022), centres around a boy with Selective Mutism (SM). Call Me Lion was shortlisted for the Oxfordshire and Portsmouth Awards in 2023, won the SCBWI 2023 Crystal Kite Award, was shortlisted in the 2024 UKLA Award, is part of the Books for Topics selection, was selected in the 2023 Read For Empathy List and 2024 Summer Reading Challenge. Call Me Lion is widely used in UK schools, increasing understanding, compassion and awareness around SM and has been selected by the Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils list for lower KS2. 

Camilla’s next book, Project Pony, delves into tricky friendships, step-dads and late bed-wetting, and is set during an own your own pony adventure holiday. It is due to be published by Firefly Press in May 2025 

Camilla has a long history of supporting emerging writers of all ages both voluntary and through her freelance work. She has a very practical eye and likes nothing more than helping writers find their voice.