Christopher Campbell driven by fiction, faith and family
ON JANUARY 17, last year, The Gleaner told the story of Rusea’s High School head boy Christopher Campbell who published his first novel, The Ambitious Woman of the West, on Amazon.
Since then, the positives continue to flow as he has been a first-year journalism student at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus since September last year, and recently the book has won a coveted award.
“Following its release, the book has garnered attention across several online platforms and social media pages. It’s been featured on various websites and has received numerous online reviews,” Campbell shared with Family and Religion.
And, in March, he received an email informing him that his book had been nominated for a Jamaican Kingdom Indie Author Award in the top teen/young adult category. He was nominated by his publisher, Judith Taylor, of JamJudsPublishers.
Initially, Campbell was “a bit sceptical” because he had no prior knowledge of the award. He did a background check and found that it really existed and was legitimate. He then allowed the book to be nominated. The awards were established by the faith-based publishing company, Dayelight Publishers. The ceremony was organised by Crystal Daye, the owner of Dayelight Publishers. And, on April 25, he was declared the winner of hiss category.
“Leading up to the announcement of the award, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from nerves to anticipation. In those moments, I turned to prayer and ask God for strength, and that I would win. Winning the award was not just a validation of my talent and hard work, but also a testament to the power of faith and resilience in overcoming challenges and realising dreams,” Campbell explained, for he had had many moments of frustration and doubt.
“Despite pouring my heart and soul into The Ambitious Woman of The West, breaking through the noise and reaching readers proved to be a daunting task … Promoting my book has been an exciting, yet challenging journey, filled with unexpected hurdles along the way. One of the primary challenges I faced was gaining recognition for my work in a crowded literary landscape.”
However, receiving the Jamaican Kingdom Indie Author Award was a significant turning point, he said, in his promotional efforts. “Not only did it validate the countless hours I invested in crafting my novel, but it also served as a powerful promotional booster,” he stated.
Yet, Campbell is not alone in his high and low times. His family is in the mix.
He said, “My family has been an unwavering source of support throughout my writing journey. My parents, Mom and Dad, have been champions of my book, tirelessly promoting it to their friends and acquaintances. Their encouragement and belief in my talent have been a constant source of motivation. In fact, my dad’s presence at my award ceremony was a deeply touching moment … because he knew the countless late nights I spent writing The Ambitious Woman of The West.
Outside of his immediate family, he had received various levels of support from a network of aunts, uncles, and extended family members, both locally and internationally. Their support has been invaluable in fuelling his passion for writing, he said. But, even before receiving the award, Campbell was having a great time at UWI where he is enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and Education, and has just completed his first year.
“I’ve had an exciting academic journey
… I’ve been performing exceptionally well in my first two semesters. Over the past summer, my book served as a fundraiser to support my academic endeavours, helping with expenses like accommodation and allowing me to focus on earning my bachelor’s degree,” he said.
Campbell has had the opportunity to take various courses that “significantly influenced” his writing journey. But, the novelist and journalism student has his work cut out for him. He needs a script to help him stay on the balance beam, for he doesn’t want to be the message himself.
“Balancing my passion for fiction writing with my studies in journalism is undoubtedly challenging, but incredibly rewarding. While juggling university assignments and writing deadlines can be daunting, I’m determined to excel in both fields. It is challenging balancing, I must admit … When I am supposed to be writing, I may have assignments due or classes to attend, and when I am supposed to be studying, focusing on journalism, I am writing away. It is a very interesting journey for me,” he shared.
Add inspirational to the list of adjectives to describe his journey, as Campbell also said, “Winning the award and participating in the subsequent coaching workshop, ‘Reach Millions Author Live’, has been profoundly inspiring for me. I thank Crystal for recognising my talent … I found inspiration to write more, and I am excited about my next Jamaican novel coming out at the beginning of next year … My next novel will explore romance, thriller, and mystery as the lead themes.”
The Ambitious Woman of The West is available in local bookstores at HC Books & More in Hanover, UWI Bookshop in Kingston, and other local bookstores and pharmacies. People can also acquire copies by emailing campbellchristopherja9@gmail.com or find him on Instagram @authorchriscampbell.