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

Posted by Jazz on Sunday November 6th, 2016

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

Posted by Jazz on Thursday February 11th, 2016

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 IvisonFreshers!

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 

Wintry reads!

Posted by Jazz on Tuesday December 1st, 2015

It’s December, which officially means WE CAN GET EXCITED ABOUT CHRISTMAS. My advent calendar is out, you cannot see my desk for tinsel and I’m considering buying a vat of hot spiced apple juice. And what better to get you in the wintry mood than curling up with a CH read? (more…)

Tom Ellen & Lucy Ivison's Top 10 Writing Tips

Posted by Jazz on Wednesday August 12th, 2015

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…)