Christmas Carrolls

Founder of the hugely successful Authorfy and Little Star Writing, Mel Taylor-Bessent has made her career connecting readers to their favourite authors and encouraging children to write for pleasure. After gaining a Creative Writing degree, Mel launched her first business at the age of 22 and ran creative writing workshops for thousands of children aged 6-12. As a result, she also arranged hundreds of author events and witnessed first-hand the positive impact these interactions had on her students. In 2017, she decided to replicate this via online ‘Author Masterclasses’ on a website she created called Authorfy.com. Since then, Authorfy has gone on to win numerous awards, partner with the likes of World Book Day and BookTrust, and is used in classrooms all over the world. Now Mel is bringing her own writing to readers with The Christmas Carrolls, her debut fiction series.

‘A Christmas book about kindness and cheer to make even Scrooge’s heart melt’ Dame Jacqueline Wilson"As warm and cosy as drinking hot chocolate in your favourite Christmas jumper. A festive feast of fun." Maz Evans, bestselling author of Who Let the Gods Out‘Funny and loveable story’– Woman & Home‘This will put a smile on your face and a lump in your throat’ – Daily Mail ‘Saturated with festive fun’– Irish Times‘Hilariously silly, this super-seasonal debut will have readers chuckling’ – Metro"As warm and cosy as drinking hot chocolate in your favourite Christmas jumper. A festive feast of fun." Maz Evans, bestselling author of Who Let the Gods Out'Fizzing with energy and festive cheer, The Christmas Carrolls is a heart-warming must-read for the Christmas period. Mel’s writing sparkles like the star on top of a Christmas Tree.' Jennifer Bell, author of The Uncommoners trilogy“The Christmas Carrolls is just fabulous! I laughed solidly throughout the whole thing. It’s gloriously festive, brilliantly funny and utterly endearing, too. I loved it.” Abi Elphinstone, author of The Unmapped Chronicles series“Well known in the children’s book world as the creator of Authorfy, Taylor-Bessent makes her debut with the story of the world’s most Christmassy family. Full of festive giggles and a message about what really matters.” – Fiona Noble, The Bookseller‘It’s a very impressive debut effort from Taylor-Bessent’ – Financial Times‘This is a festive treat. Holly and her family are delightful in their obsession – and with spreading cheer. There is a lot of humour in their enthusiasm, but, importantly, there is an acknowledgement that not everyone has family to spend Christmas with, or even celebrates it at all. Readers will also enjoy the exploration of how to be a good friend and whether to change yourself to fit in.’ Book Trust