Welcome to the Official Website of C. J. Parnell
Welcome! I'm C. J. Parnell, a fantasy and science fiction author from County Durham, UK. I write stories for readers who love mystery, adventure and discovering new worlds. My goal is to create unforgettable characters and exciting journeys that inspire imagination in readers of all ages.
Here you'll find my books, the latest news, music inspired by the Evelyn Thorne universe, and a look behind the scenes at the stories I'm creating.
Building Award-Winning Adventures
From a dream to an award-winning series, C. J. Parnell has created the Evelyn Thorne universe for readers who love adventure, imagination and discovering new worlds. His storytelling has been recognised with Golden Wizard Book Prize awards in 2025 and 2026, and the journey is only just beginning.
Today, the Evelyn Thorne series continues to grow with new books, new worlds and exciting projects, inviting readers of all ages to become part of the adventure.
3
Books in Evelyn Thorne Series
1
Years Engaging Readers
Winner of 3x The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2025 and 2026 and 2x Open Book Awards
About Me
Hi, I'm C. J. Parnell, a fantasy and science fiction author from County Durham, England.
Stories have fascinated me for as long as I can remember. As a child I loved imagining hidden worlds, ancient mysteries and impossible adventures, and those ideas eventually became the Evelyn Thorne series—a world where magic and science collide, ordinary children become heroes, and every page leads somewhere unexpected.
One thing many people don't know about me is that I have dyslexia. School wasn't always easy, and writing certainly didn't come naturally. But dyslexia never stopped my imagination. It taught me that great stories aren't measured by perfect spelling—they're measured by the worlds they create and the people they inspire.
Today I continue to write cinematic middle-grade adventures for readers who love mystery, fantasy, science fiction and heart. The Evelyn Thorne series has received recognition from the Golden Wizard Book Prize and the Open Book Awards, and I have already completed the first three novels, with many more adventures planned.
When I'm not writing, I work in retail, enjoy restoring classic cars, exploring historic castles and ancient sites, walking through the countryside with my wife, and creating music for my fictional punk band, Draco Streets, which exists within the Evelyn Thorne universe.
Whether you've just discovered my books or have followed Evelyn from the very beginning, thank you for being part of the adventure.
Every great adventure starts with turning the first page.
— C. J. Parnell
Inspired by Imagination
Every story begins with a single idea. I love creating worlds where fantasy and science fiction come together, inviting readers to explore the impossible, discover unforgettable characters, and lose themselves in adventures they'll never forget.
Stories That Stay With You
I believe the best children's stories don't end when the final page is turned—they stay with you for years. My aim is to create adventures filled with friendship, courage, mystery and hope, giving young readers characters they'll remember long after the journey ends.
The Stories That Inspired Me
Every writer starts as a reader, and my love of storytelling began with some truly unforgettable books.
As a child, I was captivated by the magical worlds created by Roald Dahl. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach were among my favourite stories, showing me that imagination has no limits and that extraordinary adventures can begin in the most ordinary places.
Another series that left a lasting impression was The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. The idea of stepping through a doorway into another world filled me with wonder and helped shape the kind of stories I wanted to tell.
As I grew older, I discovered J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The way she brought Hogwarts to life and created a world that readers never wanted to leave was incredibly inspiring. Her storytelling showed me how powerful unforgettable characters and richly imagined worlds can be.
My reading tastes later expanded into historical fiction with Conn Iggulden's Emperor series, beginning with The Gates of Rome. His vivid portrayal of Julius Caesar's rise to power, combined with compelling characters and epic storytelling, deepened my appreciation for immersive fiction and showed me another way history and imagination can come together.
Each of these authors helped shape the writer I am today. While my stories have their own voice and style, they all share one thing with the books that inspired me—a desire to transport readers somewhere extraordinary.
