‘Why stop at donkeys?’ 😂

After 15 years as a teacher & school leader I am thrilled to have started working for the wonderful National Literacy Trust on its Young Readers Programme! Will be back on X to celebrate #readingforpleasure & post book reviews. Follow me on Insta too: chrissouluk! ❤️📚😀

Duffle coat off.

Since it's almost Midsummer...

My latest cartoon for Guardian Books

I’d laugh if I wasn’t crying. (From the new Private Eye.)

.@WriteMentor has unveiled the 2025 Novel and Picture Book Awards winners, judged by David Higham Associates (David Higham Books) bookbrunch.co.uk/page/article-d… (£)

WriteMentor is delighted to announce the winners of its 2025 Novel and Picture Book Awards, judged by David Higham Associates, which showcases new writing talent in both children’s and adult fiction. Picture Book Category Winner: PELICAN’S BEACH by Jennie Saywell Children's

FLABBERGASTED!😲 Unmeant, my story of a young woman who was never meant to live, has won the @WriteMentor Novel Award Zozie just wanted to be seen I’m so grateful she was🖤 Congrats to the other winners & shortlistees—& thanks to everyone @WriteMentor #amwriting #WritingCommunity

I genuinely can’t quite believe this! 😮🏆 Thank you to all WriteMentor for this opportunity, and to David Higham Media for judging the competition. I am in the best company on both the Long and Shortlist and I salute my fellow writers! 🤩🙌😍 #WritingCommunity #kidlit #believe

🎉Claire Lomas (official title: WINNER of the WriteMentor children’s novel competition), your pocket-sized, powerful mg story about standing up for the right thing is timely, gorgeous and needed in libraries, schools & homes. I can believe it won ❤️#writingcommunity #winner

Always make time to take your kids to libraries & bookshops. Always let them browse freely. These are places of magic & wonder - the places where we find the books that make us readers, and stay with us forever. These places change our lives! #literacy

Very exciting news in my inbox on Monday. Runner-up and another on the shortlist. Thank you so much to Deirdre Power of David Higham Books for this lovely feedback and to WriteMentor for organising. So grateful for these opportunities to get our stories seen. #picturebooks #iamwriting

Meet the winner of the Adult Fiction Category for this year's WriteMentor Novel & Picture Book Awards 🎉 S R Simmons whose dystopian entry UNMEANT captivated judge Maddalena Cavaciuti from the very first line. Congratulations S R Simmons, from all of us at WriteMentor!

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Meet the winner of the Children's Fiction Category for this year's WriteMentor Novel & Picture Book Awards 🎉 Claire Lomas's middle grade I STILL STAND was praised by judge Christabel McKinley for its authentic voice & unflinching central subject matter. Congratulations Claire!

Meet the winner of the Children's Fiction Category for this year's WriteMentor Novel & Picture Book Awards 🎉 Claire Lomas's middle grade I STILL STAND was praised by judge Christabel McKinley for its authentic voice & unflinching central subject matter. Congratulations Claire!

My fellow writers inspire and support me - have felt overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity this week 💖

Thank you to DHA agent Christabel McKinley for judging the children's fiction category in this year's WriteMentor Novel & Picture Book Awards selecting I STILL STAND by Claire Lomas as her winner. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on future awards writementor.substack.com