Yearly archives: 2020

Things are about to get Chaotic!

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged childrens books by
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!!

Online Silly Squad Event

 in Events  tagged Bristol Libraries / online event / Summer Reading Challenge by

Proud to be a member of the Silly Squad and part of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which is a fabulous scheme ran by libraries to keep kids reading during the summer period.

Bristol Libraries are hosting a 30 minute LIVE online event that is available to ANYONE who registers here.

It will happen on Thursday 27th August at 2:00pm.

I’ll be talking about my silly chocolatey book and answering any questions there may be. It would be brilliant if keen readers and chocolate fanatics could join me!

Flattered

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Amazon / online / reviews / thank you by

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

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged book blog / interview by

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!!!!

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged Bestseller / Easter / Number 1 by

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

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged book readings / reading by

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

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged book trust / writing competition / young writers by

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

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged chocolate / Easter / reading by

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

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged beanstalk / charity / reading by

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

Return to the Roald Dahl Museum

 in Events  tagged Museum / Roald Dahl by

A few years ago, I had one of the greatest experiences of my time as an author: I got to talk about my book in the home of Roald Dahl himself!

Mr Dahl’s home is now a world famous museum all about the great man and his books. It is a fantastic place and was a real honour to be asked to do some events during their Charlie and the Chocolate Factory celebrations.

Well, I must have done an OK job as I’ve been asked back!! I’ll be there during the Easter Holidays on Tuesday 14th April and be doing three events. It would be gloriumptious to see you there.

Please find more whizz-popping details here.

The Great Chocoplot Chris Callaghan Roald Dahl Museum
The Great Chocoplot, Chris Callaghan, Roald Dahl, Museum

Something Exciting is Coming this way …

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged book deal / Harper Collins / new publisher by

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!

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged books / Rachel Coverdale / Radio by

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!!

 in Groovy Stuff  tagged waterstones by

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’!!

The Great Chocoplot Chris Callaghan Waterstones Kingston
The Great Chocoplot Chris Callaghan Waterstones Piccadilly
The Great Chocoplot Waterstones Gower Street