Freshers
Uni beckons. Phoebe can’t wait to be a fresher – especially since her crush from school will be there too. She’ll be totally different at Uni: cooler, prettier, smarter … the perfect potential girlfriend. She’ll reinvent herself completely. But Luke’s oblivious, still reeling from the fallout of the break-up with his ex. Thrown head first into a world of new friends, parties and social media disasters – can Phoebe and Luke survive the year, let alone find each other?
A warm, hilarious and perfectly observed coming-of-age comedy about the first year of uni from the authors of the YA Book Prize-shortlisted Lobsters; a must-read for new freshers!
NaNoWriMo Nov Day 6: Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison
Day 2 of NaNoWriMo has commenced! If you're still feeling a bit unsure about how to get pen to paper – and get that story in to shape – look no further than Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison! These two know a thing or two about writing, having been longlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition with Lobsters, and having their second book Never Evers published earlier this year. (more…)
Chicken House acquires Freshers by Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison
You may have already spotted it, but we're very pleased and excited to announce that we've bought the third novel from writing duo Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison: Freshers!
Shortlisted for the inaugural YA Book Prize and the 2013 Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition, the duo's debut book Lobsters was published to critical acclaim in 2014, while their second novel Never Evers hit the shops earlier this year.
Another laugh-out-loud dual narrative, Freshers is a YA novel following two protagonists through that tumultuous first year of university. Starring new characters – but featuring some familiar faces from Lobsters – Freshers is a contemporary, authentic story packed full of love, sex and friendship.
Coming August 2017 – keep an eye on the website for more details! And while you're waiting, why not check out Tom & Lucy's top 10 writing tips or watch their Never Evers vid below?
Follow Lucy Ivison on Twitter: @lucyivison
Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison's Top 10 Writing Tips
Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison's debut novel Lobsters was shortlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition 2013. Fast-forward to two years later: Lobsters was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize, Tom & Lucy appeared on a hilarious panel at YALC this year, and their new book Never Evers is out in January! They've shared their top 10 writing tips with us ... (more…)
Never Evers
Kicked out of ballet academy, Mouse is hating the school ski trip. Jack was sure it’d be filled with danger and girls, but hasn’t a clue about either.
That’s until French teen sensation Roland arrives in the resort – and Jack’s a dead ringer for him.
After Roland persuades Jack to be his stand-in for a day, Jack, in disguise, declares his feelings for Mouse. But what happens when he’s no longer a pop star – will there still be music and magic on the slopes?
From the critically-acclaimed authors of Lobsters, shortlisted for the YA Book Prize.
Children's Fiction Competition: What Makes a Winner?
So you’ve written your children’s novel – or perhaps you’re planning on writing one before our 18 December deadline! – but either way you’re probably curious about what we’re looking for. Here’s a little info on past winners for an insight into who, and what, has won in the past … (more…)
Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison
Co-authors of the hilariously funny novels Lobsters and Never Evers, Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison met in the sixth form and have been friends ever since.
Lucy is a school librarian at a girls school in central London where she gets most of her inspiration.
Tom is a journalist and has written for ShortList, Time Out, Vice, talkSPORT, ESPN and Viz.
Their new YA novel, Freshers, published to critical acclaim in August 2017.
Lobsters Shortlisted For The YA Book Prize
2014 has been a fantastic year for YA - and since being published in June, LOBSTERS has made a splash with readers everywhere. And it seems we're not the only ones that think so, as it's been shortlisted for the very first YA Book Prize!
Tom Ellen and Lucy Ivison's socially awkward love story joins a stellar group of nine other shortlisted authors, including Half Bad author Sally Green and this year's Queen of Teen James Dawson. Click here to see the full shortlist!
The YA Book Prize is a brand new award in association with The Bookseller which celebrates the very best Young Adult books in the UK and Ireland. We'll be keeping our fingers very tightly crossed in anticipation of the winner announcement in 2015 - you can get involved too by tweeting #TeamLobsters!
Follow the YA Book Prize on Twitter: @yabookprize
Follow Chicken House on Twitter: @chickenhsebooks
Follow Chicken House on Instagram: @chickenhousebooks
Lobsters
Sam and Hannah only have the holidays to find The One. Their lobster.
But instead of being epic, their summer is looking awkward. They must navigate social misunderstandings, the plotting of well-meaning friends, and their own fears of being virgins for ever to find happiness. But fate is at work to bring them together. And in the end, it all boils down to love.
A hilariously funny teen novel, shortlisted for the inaugural YA Book Prize in 2015!
