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DFB signs US deals

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I had something of a preview of Pam Smy’s Thornhill when I visited David Fickling earlier in the summer… it’s going to be rather special I think..

ficklingDavid Fickling Books (DFB) has secured rights deals with US publishers for Thornhill by Pam Smy and for The Call by Peadar O’Guilin.

Macmillan US offered a “substantial pre-empt” for the North American rights to Thornhill, a story about two girls told using illustration and text.

Simon Boughton, publisher at Roaring Book Press (an imprint of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group) said that Thornhill is “a remarkable book – the bewitching story of two girls’ lives told in two very different and thoroughly compelling storytelling languages. Pam Smy is a wonderful talent, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to publish her in North America”.

The UK publication date has not yet been announced.

DFB also sold the North American rights to The Call to Scholastic US in a two-book deal. The novel is described as a “hard-hitting YA offering set in an alternate, desolate vision of the world” and will be published in the UK in 2016.

Both deals were brokered by DFB rights director Bronwen Bennie.

via DFB signs US deals for Smy and O’Guilin | The Bookseller.

HarperCollins Children’s Books acquires DOTTY DETECTIVE from Clara Vulliamy

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HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired a new young fiction series, DOTTY DETECTIVE, from popular author/illustrator Clara Vulliamy.

dot

From the press release:

“Featuring a new girl hero for the 5-8s, the adventures of schoolgirl sleuth Dot are all set to hot up the market with a unique combination of illustration and text bouncing with humourand fun, from an acclaimed author.

World rights in the three-book series were acquired by Ruth Alltimes (Publishing Director for Fiction, HarperCollins Children’s Books) in a deal with Hilary Delamere at The Agency (London) Ltd. The first book in the series will publish in paperback in March 2016 in a daringly dotty package with gorgeous girl appeal. Book two publishes in August 2016 and the third title follows in January 2017. Books illustrated by Clara have sold over 50,000 copies in the UK but this series will be Clara’s first solo foray into young fiction.

Dot’s story is told in a unique diary format of hilarious Tweet-style observations, selfie pics (artworked by Clara), under the duvet moments back at ‘HQ’ (Dot’s bedroom) and clues that Dot finds and sticks into her book. She’s an everyday girl, but one who isn’t afraid to say what she means and make you laugh whilst she’s saying it. And with the help of McClusky, her faithful sidekick hound, she is always ready to sniff out a mystery. The books are packed full of humorous scenarios from both home and school that every young girl will recognise.

Clara Vulliamy trained in Fine Art at the Ruskin School and the Royal Academy. She lives in Twickenham with her husband and their two children who provide inspiration for her work. She is the daughter of author and illustrator Shirley Hughes and has written and illustrated numerous stories for children and babies, including the highly successful Dixie O’Day series, a collaboration with her mother.

Commenting on the deal Ruth Alltimes said, “Dot is destined to be the new ‘book-best- friend’ of young girls everywhere; she is impishly funny, aspirational and so full of curiosity that girl readers will be drawn into her world of mini mysteries! Clara Vulliamy’s signature stylish, witty artwork creates an irresistible young fiction package.”

Self-published Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep Acquired by Penguin RnadomHouse

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A Swedish psychologist’s self-published picture book about a sleep-deprived rabbit has been acquired by Penguin Random House after becoming a word-of-mouth sensation.

A new edition of Carl-Johan Forssén Ehrlin’s “The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep” will come out in paper in the U.S. and the U.K. on Oct. 2 and as an e-book Sept. 8, the publisher announced Wednesday.

Billed as a groundbreaking story that “gives suggestions to the child’s unconscious mind to sleep,” Ehrlin’s book features such soporific helpers as Uncle Yawn and Sleepy Snail and has inspired an international debate over its effectiveness. “The Rabbit Who Wants To Fall Asleep” was illustrated by Irina Maununen.

Originally released in 2011 and translated into English by Ehrlin a year ago, the book this summer soared into the top 10 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com, at times outselling such high-profile works as Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman” and E L James’ “Grey.”

via Self-published sensation gets publisher.

Usborne to publish L A Weatherly trilogy

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The Bookseller reports:

Usborne has acquired the English language rights, excluding the US and Canada, to a new trilogy by US author L A Weatherly.

The Broken trilogy is set in a distorted version of 1940s American and is described as an epic of deception, heartbreak and rebellion.

Commissioning fiction editor Stephanie King said the author has created “an unforgettably fiery and inspiring heroine in Amity, whose life is ripped apart when she discovers a disturbing secret about someone close to her. What follows is a heart-stopping thriller of intrigue, deception and murder that is impossible to put down.”

Usborne struck a deal with Caroline Sheldon from the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency and will publish the first book, Broken Sky, in March 2016. Books two and three are scheduled for Autumn 2016 and March 2017, respectively.

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/usborne-publish-l-weatherly-trilogy-307981

Walker acquires Weinstein trilogy

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Walker Books will publish The City of Secret Rivers, the first book in a London-set children’s adventure trilogy by US writer Jacob Sager Weinstein.

 Fiction publisher Gill Evans and commissioning editor Emma Lidbury negotiated a three-book deal for English and Commonwealth rights from Alex Webb at the Rights People.
 
Evans said: “It is really exciting to find such inventive energy and wit in writing for a younger audience. His considerable writing talent, combined with Jacob’s delight and passion for London’s secret underground places and forgotten rivers, makes the world of these books a wonderful place for imaginations to roam.”
 
The City of Secret Rivers wil be published in hardback in early 2017 with books two and three to follow in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
 

via Walker acquires Weinstein trilogy | The Bookseller.

Book Trade Announcements – Piccadilly Press Acquires Sparkling Futuristic Environment Story A Kingdom Of Horses

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Piccadilly Press has announced the acquisition of a heartfelt and emotional middle grade story – A KINGDOM OF HORSES by Zillah Bethell. Editor Matilda Johnson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for KINGDOM, plus a second untitled book from Julia Churchill at A.M. Heath at auction. North American rights were auctioned to Liz Szabla at Feiwel & Friends by Miriam Altshuler. The book will publish in hardback in autumn 2016, followed by a paperback edition in spring 2017.

The author was born in a leprosy hospital in Papua New Guinea, spent her childhood barefoot playing in the jungle, and didn’t own a pair of shoes until she came to the UK when she was eight. She was educated at Oxford University and lives in Wales. She has previously written two adult novels for a small Welsh press. This is her first children’s book.
via Book Trade Announcements – Piccadilly Press Acquires Sparkling Futuristic Environment Story A Kingdom Of Horses.

Macmillan Acquires Two Books By Emma Donoghue

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Macmillan Children’s Books has acquired a children’s book by Emma Donoghue, author of adult bestseller Room.

The Lotterys Plus One is a middle-grade title about Sumac Lottery, a girl with six siblings, two mums, two dads. The family all live together in a big Victorian house they all call Camelottery.

When Sumac’s racist and homophobic grandfather nearly burns his own house down, he has to move in, causing tension within the family.

Venetia Gosling, publisher of the 6+ division at MCB, acquired world rights (excluding the US and Canada) to two books from Donoghue, from Caroline Davidson of Caroline Davidson Literary Agency (CDLA UK).

via Emma Donoghue pens children’s book | The Bookseller.

S&S acquires two YA horror novels from debut American author Amy Lukavics

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Simon & Schuster UK has acquired two YA horror novels from debut American author, Amy Lukavics.

Rachel Mann, fiction editor, bought World English rights, excluding the US and Canada, from James Wills, managing director at Watson, Little, on behalf of Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media in the US.

The first book, Daughters Unto Devils, is described by S&S as “The Exorcist” meets “Little House on the Prairie”. It tells the story of 16-year-old Amanda Verner, who fears she is losing her mind. When her family move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, she hopes she can leave behind her haunting memories of her afflicted baby sister, cabin fever and the secret boyfriend whose baby she is carrying. But their new home soaked in blood and Amanda has heard stories about the land being tainted by evil. With guilty secrets weighing down on her, she can’t be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or within her soul.

via S&S acquires YA horror debut by Lukavics | The Bookseller.

Andersen Press Snap Up V&A Award Winner

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Andersen Press have announced the acquisition of a new picture book from Dan Ungureanu, just awarded the Student Runner-Up prize at the V&A Illustration Awards.

Nara and the Island, the book based on his award-winning artwork, will be published in Spring 2016.

All of the winning art works are on display at the V&A Museum until 2nd August 2015.
Dan is a recent graduate of Cambridge School of Art’s MA in Children’s Book Illustration, and has already been Highly Commended in the prestigious Macmillan Prize for Children’s Picture Book Illustration 2014.

Libby Hamilton, Editorial Director for Picture Books at Andersen Press, who acquired world rights to Dan Ungureanu’s author-illustrator debut says: “I fell in love with the same piece that has won Dan his V&A award, and when I discovered his lyrical storytelling, I was hooked. We are very excited to be fostering such an exceptional new talent in the world of picture books.”

via Book Trade Announcements – Andersen Press To Publish Picture Book By V&A Award Winner.