Groovy Stuff


Graphic Novels Coming Soon …

I am totally mega excited to announce that there will be twelve ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’ graphic novels being released in June (2021).

It has been great fun writing these stories with my ever-so-creative editor, Zoë Clarke, and our amazing illustrator, Amit Tayal. We have tried to cram in even more action and thrills than we thought possible.

I can’t wait for more Chaos to be released into the world!!

You can take a sneaky look and maybe pre-order them here.


Worldwide Chaos

Shinoy and the Chaos Crew are spreading action, adventure and the best kind of chaos throughout the world.

Recently released in the UK, the series has already arrived in places like India and Australia. It will soon hit the coast of Canada (27th February) and then onto the United States of America (1st April – no joke!).

It’s so exciting seeing these crazy characters being welcomed wherever they go. And they have no plans on stopping just yet!


Website Update

The nasty S.N.A.I.R. from my ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’ books has reminded me that this website needs updating with all of his evil deeds – and the not-so-evil doings of the Chaos Crew. So I will be adding lots of new and groovy stuff to this website in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned …


Collins Big Cat Writing Competition

Thrilled to reveal details of a brand new writing competition for young writers (aged between 5 and 11) all around the world.

Using the ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’ books as a background, can you create your own Shinoy story or come up with a new member of the Chaos Crew?

Winners will have the opportunity to have their stories read out by me and their creations brought to life by our fantastic illustrator, Amit Tayal. More details here. Good luck!!


Connecting Stories with the Literacy Trust

I’m honoured to be a part the National Literacy Trust‘s ‘Connecting Stories‘ campaign. This is a new programme to champion the joy of writing and reading for enjoyment with schools and communities in some of the most deprived areas of the country.

It was the livestream launch today for the communities that I will be involved in and it was a lot of fun connecting with homeschoolers from the Blackpool area. We had some great questions which allowed me to gibber away and hopefully explain why this is something so important to me.

There is plenty more happening – including a writing competition – so watch this space!


Chaos is Released!!

Shinoy and the Chaos Crew by Children's Author Chris Callaghan a 24 book series for reluctant readers

I am delighted that my new book series –

‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’

has been released.

There are 24 books in the series – seven of them written by the fabulous Zoë Clarke – and artwork by Amit Tayal, who has done a staggering job bringing all our craziness into life.

They have been written with young reluctant readers especially in mind, but hopefully will be enjoyed by all ages and abilities. I’ve tried to pack them with as much action, adventure and silliness that I can. They’ve been so much fun to write. More details and options to buy them are here.

Obviously … schools, teaching staff and their pupils have lots of more important things going on right now. I wish everyone strength in these coming weeks as schools only take in the children of critical workers, and carry out their lessons online. This is far from perfect, but the time will soon be here when teaching and learning can get back to normal. These books can wait until then.

Stay safe and keep using those fantastic imaginations!

Shinoy and the Chaos Crew by Children's Author Chris Callaghan a 24 book series for reluctant readers

Things are about to get Chaotic!

Shinoy and the Chaos Crew by Chris Callaghan a 24 book series for children

Absolutely delighted to be able to share news of ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew‘.

When Shinoy downloads the Chaos Crew app on his phone, a glitch in the system gives him the power to summon his TV heroes into his world. With the team on board, Shinoy can figure out what dastardly plans S.N.A.I.R. has come up with, and save the day. This is a series of 24 books banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.

Seven of these titles were written by the fabulous Zoë Clarke, who has been my editor, mentor and conscience throughout the development of this series. I could not be more honoured to have the uber-talented Amit Tayal adding his magical artwork throughout this whole series. He has produced so much amazing stuff.

This has been a genuine team effort. My hugest of thanks go to everyone at Collins Big Cat and Harper Collins, especially Holly Woolnough, for all being such champions of (controlled) chaos!

This series will be released on 4th January 2021.

There will be a dedicated ‘Shinoy and the Chaos Crew’ page on the Collins website, but until then there is an individual link here. And it is available for pre-order from all good online book sites such as Waterstones and Bookshop UK.

Let the chaos commence!!


Flattered

Thank you.

Seriously, thank you to all the lovely people who have taken the time to leave a review on Amazon. The Great Chocoplot has now received over 100 reviews and, as I publish this, has returned back into a No.1 Best Seller spot!!

It isn’t just an ego thing (honestly!), reviews really help to boost the visiblity of books, especially if they are not backed with big promotional budgets like some of the ‘top brands’. It also helps to keep the book in print and helps us authors to bargain for our other ideas to be considered by our publishers.

But please, please, please – if you can, buy your books from your local bookshops (they really need your support) or borrow from your local library. And then leave a review online. It is very much appreciated!


Stoomio

Thrilled to have been asked to answer some marvellous questions on the new(ish) and utterly fantastic Children’s Book Blog, Stoomio!

You can see my gibberish here, but please check it out because there are so many other reviews, interviews and general fun stuff on the site. I’m sure it will grow into an amazing and entertaining resource.


Number 1 Best Seller!!!!

As the writer of a chocolatey children’s story, getting an Easter Weekend #1 Bestseller in the charts is the closest I’ll get to being Cliff Richard clocking up a Christmas No 1.

I’m incredible grateful – but don’t worry, I wont start singing!

*** But please support your local book shop. They need your business now more than ever ***


Book Reading Authors

There are endless children’s authors delightfully gibbering away online at the moment (including myself!), but here’s a fantastic resource providing links to so many. There’s a lot of other fun stuff here too.

Thanks to Books For Topics for compiling this great selection and for including me and my silly book.

Check it out here. Other authors reading parts of their books include Cressida Cowell, Andy Stanton, Andy Shepherd, James Nichol and David Walliams – and many, many more …!


Generation Lockdown Writing Comp

The Generation Lockdown Writing Competition is open to young writers aged between 7 – 17. We’d love to hear about your life in lockdown. That could be a personal experience, poem or a creative story.

All the entries are judged by published authors and I’ll be looking at the 8 year olds category.

The winners will be published in a book and a special prize from Chicken House Books is on offer too! This will also raise funds for The Book Trust.

All the details are on the website. We look forward to reading your entries. So, get writing and the best of luck.


Happy Easter

Hoping everyone has a very chocolatey Easter.

In these strange days, we are all staying at home to help our amazing NHS and protect our loved ones from harm. So enjoy some chocolate, maybe read a book and be kind to each other.

You could also join me on Easter Sunday at 6pm BST where I will be summoning up my inner Jackanory (ask the grown-ups!) and reading the first chapter of The Great Chocoplot. Thanks to my lovely publishers, Chicken House, for hosting me.

It goes ‘Live’ here from 6pm. Please excuse my rubbish attempts at ‘acting’!!


Beanstalk Resources

It’s wonderful to see reading charity Beanstalk supporting families in these tough times. They are providing links and resources to help homeschooling and to keep the love of reading active.

I’m particularly flattered that they have chosen me and my daughter’s funny faces to front the scheme!

Please find out more here while we all stay at home and make the most of this reading time.

With huge and never ending thanks to all the Key Workers out there doing an amazing job. Stay safe people x


Something Exciting is Coming this way …

I’m not allowed to say too much at the moment, as publishers REALLY like to keep secrets! But I have just signed a contract with the amazing Harper Collins!!!!

It’s been something bubbling away since summer 2019 and is now well under way. I’m having a blast writing what I’m writing (sorry no spoilers!) and working with the team and editor at Harper Collins. I’ve visited their stunning offices high in the clouds in Central London and had hugely exciting meetings.

It is something I’m very proud to be part of and I’ll release more details when I’m allowed! Squeeeeeeee!!!!!

Signed Contracts!!

Radio Chocoplot!

Even though I have moved away from my native North East and into London, it was wonderful to hear that me and book were still being talked about up there!

Radio Tees has a weekly Book Talk slot hosted by Bob Fischer and author (and school librarian) Rachel Coverdale. I first met Rachel on a school visit and she is a real champion of books and reading. Rachel has such enthusiasm for getting the right book into the right young hands. So it was especially wonderful to hear her talk about my book in such a lovely way. It was great to share some of the limelight with one of my favourite authors, and North East favourite, Dan Smith. Dan writes fantastic adventure stories full of action and suspense, like ‘Boy X’ which they talked about. Luckily, Rachel said great things about him too!

Although I’m not on the radio, I can still say that I’ve read Rachel’s book, ‘The Boy Who Couldn’t’ and would highly recommend it. It’s a wonderful story of friendship in unexpected places and is a cracking read.

Thanks to Rachel for the photo and for being so kind to me! Please check out Rachel’s website and her books here.


More Waterstones Selfies!!

I know, I know. It’s shameless shelf promotion. It’s egotistical. But I love it!

Going into bookshops and seeing my book never gets old. Now that I have moved from Newcastle to London, it’s been brilliant to see it my adopted home. Here are some of my cheesy grins of me and my signed book in Watersones Kingston, the flagship Waterstones Piccadilly and Waterstones Gower Street, where the staff were wonderful enough to rearrange the shelf so I could have a much appreciated ‘face-out’!!


Christmas is coming …

Personally, I think ‘The Great Chocoplot’ would make a perfect Christmas present. A book about chocolate! But then I would think that, wouldn’t I!

So, just a little reminder that it is available at all good bookstores and all the usual places online.

Please support your local book shops and libraries when choosing books.

Wishing you all a happy and chocolatey Christmas!


Proud Northerner

I’m from Tyneside, but have recently moved into the big capital of London (it’s still a little scary, but I’m starting to get used to it!). We were incredibly sad to leave our home but have been made to feel welcome down south. I always try and return whenever I can.

I’ve always had huge support from from my local bookshops and libraries in the North East and was delighted to see on a recent visit that me and my silly book have not been forgotten!

My heart leaped at seeing my familiar purple cover proudly on display in the magnificent Waterstones Newcastle. It was part of a display from a local Headteacher, Mrs Wall. I had the honour of visiting her school early in the year and had a wonderful time. Thank you, Mrs Wall for this huge honour.

It was also a pleasure to visit beautiful Durham’s Waterstones and see my book still on display there too. The good people and booksellers of Durham have been so kind to me for a long, long time. The thrill of seeing my book next to so many fantastic books never gets old. Thank you, Fiona and all the staff there for your loveliness.

It’s especially lovely to be a ‘Shelf Buddy’ with the incredible Emma Carroll too!