I admit that I find it really hard to push myself ‘out there’ in terms of promoting my children’s book. I’m feeling really pleased with myself that I have not one but two bookings at local libraries in the summer. I’ll be reading from my book and getting the children who come along to do some drawing and writing. It feels like a massive achievement.
What are you feeling pleased about this week? I’d love to hear from you.
The day has arrived. Today, 28th April 2026 my children’s book, The Clocker, is officially published. There were times when I nearly gave up, days when I didn’t believe it would ever happen, struggles and challenges along the way but I couldn’t be happier that I’ve made it. I am a published children’s author.
I have already had some very positive reviews and it’s an amazing feeling to read that others enjoy what you’ve written. Although writing a book involves a lot of time being shut away, tapping the keys on your PC, the help of others can often go unnoticed. I’ve found Troubador Publishing to be an incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and helpful team. My partner, my daughter, wider family, friends, and writing group, Let’s Write, have all played a part. Without turning this into an Oscar speech (!) thank you to everyone.
As well as now having a box of my own copies of the book, Troubador distribute to bookshops around the UK. The Clocker is on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats, and on Apple Books for those with Apple devices. If you do purchase and read the book, please do write a review.
I am available around The Midlands for author events and to visit schools to read extracts and talk about my book. Please contact me via my Contact page Contact me
I’m delighted to be on the next leg of my book tour with Liz. Thank you for having me, Liz. I’m bringing you all details of my new children’s book for 5-7 year olds. It’s called The Secret Dragon and is the first in the Saffy’s Secret Quest series. Publication day is 28th July, but the book is available for pre-order. Here’s a little bit more about it:
The blurb
When Saffy discovers a dragon statue at the bottom of her garden, her boring summer holiday becomes full of excitement.
The statue is a real dragon called Lily. She’s from the magical world of Mandoreum, a place that’s in danger and in need of Saffy’s help.
There are clues to solve, a wicked witch to battle and secrets to be kept at all costs. Will Saffy be able to save Mandoreum before it’s too late?
Extract:
Saffy watched anxiously as Lily raced towards Narla, ferocious flames flying from her mouth. They turned into hundreds of bubbles which quickly burst. Lily’s legs stretched out for Narla, ready to grasp her. In the moment she reached the witch, cotton wool balls replaced her claws and now Lily looked like the dragon Saffy held in her hand.
She shook her head, unable to believe what Lily was showing her. Little by little, Mandoreum and all its people were becoming tattered and torn. Magical stars, sparkles and shimmers whipped up into a whirlwind. They leapt into the tip of Fairy Godfather Freddie’s wand which was held tightly in Narla’s hand.
“You poor things,” Saffy said. “I don’t think I need to see any more.”
Author bio:
Esther has been a freelance writer for over twenty years, regularly writing articles and short stories for magazines and newspapers such as Writers’ Forum, Writing Magazine, The Guardian, Best of British, The Cat, This England, Yours and The People’s Friend.
Winner of several competitions, including those run by Writing Magazine and The Global Short Story Contest, she has also had the privilege of judging writing competitions and relished being given the role of head judge of the Writers’ Forum monthly short story competition.
Esther loves writing but equally enjoys helping others, which she achieves in her role as a tutor for The Writers Bureau. She also runs their monthly writing club, Let’s Write.
She has had two how-to books on writing published as well as two collections of short stories. Her first children’s book is coming out in July, where she writes under the name of Esther Moonstomp.
Blog: https://estherchilton.co.uk
Buying links:
UK: Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Dragon-Saffys-Quest/dp/1836283881
Ebook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCMZ6LMW
US: https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Dragon-Saffys-Quest-Book-ebook/dp/B0FCMZ6LMW
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