Our stories – sharing bold, brave and beautiful tales
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IX young writers from the latest Stories of Care book, Tales of the Bold, the Brave and the Beautiful, share their experience of the project and how it has helped them take their first step on the road as children’s authors.
Lee Campion
My name is Lee Campion. I am 27-years-old and based in central London. I’ll start off with the long list of things I do for work! First and foremost, I am a Campaigns Manager for West End and Touring theatre productions. I absolutely love my job, but it’s not easy, however, there is never a day that goes by where I’m not allowed to be creative! I am also a trained sports massage therapist, as well as an actor, father of one to my new fluffy puppy called Cher; and of
course, most importantly, I am also an author.
My enjoyment in writing comes from daily journaling and spoken word. I am currently writing a stage play, which I hope to finish by Christmas 2022. Opportunities are often few and far between, and the old saying of being in the right place at the right time was exactly how I became involved in Stories of Care. I had followed Sophie Willan on social media for some time and one evening I saw a post where she was seeking new writers for the next Stories of Care project. I instinctively knew I needed to apply and as luck would have it, I was successful. Along came a whirlwind year of creativity and utter joy! I had never been around so many like-minded individuals who made me feel so worthwhile. Being a part of this experience was undoubtedly one of the best things I’ve ever done. I highly recommend it. My short story My Magical Box of Wonders is a great achievement, and I would not have been able to achieve any of it without the support, direction, and creativity from my peers at Stories of Care. The cherry on top of the cake is that I can now call myself a published author!
Emmy Clarke Lee Campion.
I’m Emmy Clarke. I grew up on a social housing estate in Manchester. I’ve always wanted to be a children’s writer, and Stories of Care was literally right on my doorstep, so naturally, I jumped at the chance to apply! Being a working-class Gen Z/ Millennial cusp with, admittedly, very little directing me beyond
Emmy Clarke.
“I love to write”, my excitement only grew as I was accepted on the project. I was supported to write and grow professionally, and accommodations were made for my (always lovely, forever vibrant, and often overwhelming) autistic sensory and processing difficulties. I not only achieved my dream of becoming a published children’s author, but I also met some wonderful, kind, and talented fellow creatives along the way.
The moment I’m most proud of is having the opportunity to read my story, Vampire Hunter Jess, to a wonderful audience at Sale Library, as part of the Pride in Trafford festival. Public speaking had always terrified me. I wasn’t able to complete my English speaking exam in secondary school. But I was supported from the get-go with
Autumn-Winter 2022
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