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Children’s author Jasbinder Bilan won The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition in 2017 with her debut, Asha and the Spirit Bird. Since winning the prize, Jasbinder has written 10 books, won the Costa Children’s Book Award, and has built a full and brilliant career as a children’s author. 

Ever inspired by Jasbinder and her passion for storytelling, we caught up with her to chat about The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition, how she writes now, and what’s coming next …

Asha and the Spirit Bird won the competition in 2017 – that’s now 8 years ago! How has life changed for you since winning the prize? 

Winning the prize changed everything!  It made my childhood dream of becoming a published author come true. The biggest change is probably that I am now lucky enough to write full time.

Did you ever anticipate Asha and the Spirit Bird being the catalyst for this career as an author? 

I put so much effort and hard work into writing Asha, but I honestly never dared to believe it might lead to an actual career. There are so many other great books out there, so the fact that Asha started my writing journey brings me such happiness.

Is there anything about the book that you’d change now, 8 years on?

When you write your first book, you have the luxury of time on your side and the opportunity to experiment – so by the time I entered it for the competition, I had tried all sorts of different scenes. And I also had the wonderful Kesia Lupo as my editor so I wouldn't change anything, actually! 

How has your writing process evolved since writing Asha and the Spirit Bird? Do you still work in the same way, or have you made changes along the way? 

The one thing that has changed in my writing process is that I have less time for the early stages of creativity. I used to have more time to be playful and use my sketchbook to collect inspirations. However, I think I have become better at holding the story in my head and editing as I go. 

What upcoming projects are you excited about? (This can be anything, it doesn’t have to be Chicken House related!)

Since publishing Asha, I have had so many wonderful opportunities to work collaboratively so I hope I can do more of those. But I’m getting really excited about what I’ll write next for Chicken House. I have six books under my belt with Chicken House, and they’ve all been different so I can’t wait to see where my inspirations will take me!

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to writers considering entering the prize this year?

There’s an awful lot of noise out there, and sometimes I think that can be overwhelming and also make you doubt the book that sits in your heart. So I’d say write your story, make it the best you can, and press send! 

A big thank you to Jasbinder for answering our questions. To be in with a chance at winning the 2025 iteration of The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition, please take a look at our submissions page. We can’t wait to read what you’re creating!

Order A BETTER NIGHTMARE by Megan Freeman from any retailer and send your proof of purchase to us via this FORM to be in with the chance of winning a deluxe sleep kit including an Unwind the Mind gift set from The Body Shop, Clippers Sleep Time Tea, a Satin feel sleep mask and an Aery Before Sleep candle.

ENTER HERE: https://forms.gle/43SGTo4CRoRZMJ319

Order your copy before 23:59 on Sunday 13 April to be in with the chance of winning:

• An 'Unwind the Mind Gift Set' from The Body Shop
• Clipper Sleep Time Tea Bags
• Satin Feel Sleep Mask
• Aery 'Before Sleep' Candle

Terms & Conditions

1. The ‘Entrant’ is the person completing the online entry form.
2.  Only one entry per person is allowed.
3. Entrants must be aged 18 or over. Entrants must be residents of Great Britain and must provide a valid British address upon entry. This prize draw is not open to employees or contractors of the Promoter or the Publisher, their immediate families, nor to any other person connected with the prize draw.
4. There will be one prize winner, who will win a deluxe sleep kit including an Unwind the Mind gift set from The Body Shop, Clippers Sleep Time Tea, a Satin feel sleep mask and an Aery Before Sleep candle.
5. The Promoter reserves the right to amend the specification of the prize or offer an alternative prize of equivalent status. No cash alternative will be offered. The Prize is non-transferable.
6. Unsuccessful entrants will not be contacted. The decision of the Promoter on all matters is final.
7. A random draw of all valid entries will take place within six working days after the closing date above to select the winner(s). The winner(s) will be notified by telephone or email, and MUST respond by midnight within seven days of the date of contact, providing a valid GB address for the prize to be dispatched to. If a selected winner does not meet all of the entry conditions or refuses the prize, another entrant will be selected at random from the remaining eligible entries within a reasonable timeframe.
8. In exceptional circumstances the Promoter may be required to terminate, amend or withdraw this promotion and/or these terms and conditions.
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