TAMARIND & THE STAR OF ISHTA by Jasbinder Bilan
From the Costa and Times/Chicken House Award-winning author of ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD:
"A powerful story of loss and identity, home and family is woven into a thrilling adventure. A hugely talented rising star of children’s books." Bookseller, Children's Book of the Month
"Beautifully written, richly atmospheric and touchingly spiritual, this brief novel sparkles like a polished gem." Daily Mail
"Atmospheric, dreamy, charged with wonder and menace, loss, sorrow and delight, it’s reminiscent at times of Tom’s Midnight Garden, refitted with an Indian setting and heroine and a captivating ghost." TLS
"A powerful story of loss and identity, home and family is woven into a thrilling adventure. A hugely talented rising star of children’s books." Bookseller, Children's Book of the Month
"Beautifully written, richly atmospheric and touchingly spiritual, this brief novel sparkles like a polished gem." Daily Mail
"Atmospheric, dreamy, charged with wonder and menace, loss, sorrow and delight, it’s reminiscent at times of Tom’s Midnight Garden, refitted with an Indian setting and heroine and a captivating ghost." TLS
THE ACCIDENTAL WIZARD by Kimberly Pauley
"From award-winning author Kimberly Pauley, this magical, hilarious adventure is ideal for fans of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.”
Scholastic Book Club, Book of the Month
"With more magical mayhem than you can shake a stick at, MG readers will be quickly drawn into a world of riotous adventure, competing wizards, greedy citizens and at it’s heart, an unlikely friendship between a wizard, a hag and a gnome"
The Book Activist
"Brilliantly funny, with bags and bags of heart, The Accidental Wizard is destined to leave you completely spellbound."
Fantastic Fiction
Scholastic Book Club, Book of the Month
"With more magical mayhem than you can shake a stick at, MG readers will be quickly drawn into a world of riotous adventure, competing wizards, greedy citizens and at it’s heart, an unlikely friendship between a wizard, a hag and a gnome"
The Book Activist
"Brilliantly funny, with bags and bags of heart, The Accidental Wizard is destined to leave you completely spellbound."
Fantastic Fiction
POPCORN EATING SQUIRRELS GO NUTS WITH THE DINOSAURS (3rd instalment) by Matt Dickinson
"Original and lots of fun, this will really hit the spot with readers who like their adventures fast, action-packed and full of humour."
Lovereading4kids
"A larger than life, totally wacky adventure that bears absolutely no resemblance to reality. It's bigger and bolder than anything I could possibly imagine and kids will love it!"
Madge Reviews
Genius inventor Fandango has given the Pop-O-Matic 3000 a time-travelling tweak and birthday girl Gertrude is about to get the gift of her dreams - her very own dinosaur. That's the plan, but with the Popcorn-Eating Squirrels about, chaos is soon unleashed! Before you can say Triceratops , the squirrels are running amok 65 million years ago amongst the deadliest predators ever to roam the earth. There's a ravenous pack of Velociraptors to be dodged. A baby to rescue. A family to save. An asteroid to be deflected from its deadly collision course.
It's all in a hungry day's work for the Popcorn-Eating Squirrels!
Lovereading4kids
"A larger than life, totally wacky adventure that bears absolutely no resemblance to reality. It's bigger and bolder than anything I could possibly imagine and kids will love it!"
Madge Reviews
Genius inventor Fandango has given the Pop-O-Matic 3000 a time-travelling tweak and birthday girl Gertrude is about to get the gift of her dreams - her very own dinosaur. That's the plan, but with the Popcorn-Eating Squirrels about, chaos is soon unleashed! Before you can say Triceratops , the squirrels are running amok 65 million years ago amongst the deadliest predators ever to roam the earth. There's a ravenous pack of Velociraptors to be dodged. A baby to rescue. A family to save. An asteroid to be deflected from its deadly collision course.
It's all in a hungry day's work for the Popcorn-Eating Squirrels!
SONG BENEATH THE TIDES by Beverley Birch
"Brilliant, lyrical and portrayed with a nuance that captures the beauty, history and contradictions of present day Africa. I particularly loved the tenderness and poignant recognition that draw Ally and Leli together, the past infusing the present until they inevitably collide. Also, that Leli has agency and the villagers led by Mzee Shaibu determine their fate in the end, despite the powerful interests that converge on Kisiri."
Adamma Oti Okonko, sensitivity reader and children's book editor
"A magical layered story weaving past and present that stole my heart."
Jasbinder Bilan, Costa-winning children’s author
"Beautifully drawn, haunting and so heartbreaking, yet so life-affirming"
Sarah Mussi, award winning author of Siege
Adamma Oti Okonko, sensitivity reader and children's book editor
"A magical layered story weaving past and present that stole my heart."
Jasbinder Bilan, Costa-winning children’s author
"Beautifully drawn, haunting and so heartbreaking, yet so life-affirming"
Sarah Mussi, award winning author of Siege
A CAKE FOR THE GESTAPO by Jacqueline King
A CAKE FOR THE GESTAPO, Jacqueline King's acclaimed debut for middle grade, is the very first children's book to tell the story of the Nazi occupation of Jersey in UK publishing history.
“An unusual and fascinating setting, vivid characters and an involving plot, all woven together with a fine, sensuous and rhythmic prose.”
Anthony McGowan
“A beautiful, heart-warming story about a rough and ready gang of children and their pig in German occupied Jersey. Wonderful, convincing characters leap across sandy beaches and into unexpected adventures.”
Emma Craigie
“An unusual and fascinating setting, vivid characters and an involving plot, all woven together with a fine, sensuous and rhythmic prose.”
Anthony McGowan
“A beautiful, heart-warming story about a rough and ready gang of children and their pig in German occupied Jersey. Wonderful, convincing characters leap across sandy beaches and into unexpected adventures.”
Emma Craigie
ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD wins the Children's Costa Book Award!!
First off, a very Happy New Year, one and all! I'm so, SO thrilled to announce that ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD by Jasbinder BIlan has been named winner of THE CHILDREN'S CATEGORY OF THE COSTA BOOK AWARDS!! Chair of the Judges, historian Suzannah Lipscomb, had this to say about Asha:
"A gorgeous, magical, Indian tale of adventure, it's set in the Himalayas and it's got peril and bravery and the kind of reckless optimism of youth ... it's like a Hindu version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It's *that* good. It's just an enchanting, powerful story. (Interviewer: "and good for adults to read?") Oh, it's REALLY fun! I read it at a gulp."
But while Asha's may be, Jasbinder's journey isn't over just yet! The awards ceremony is the end of January, when the judges will name one of the five
category winners, The Costa Book of the Year!
All in all, a very proud Agent Ben and a very exciting start to 2020!!
"A gorgeous, magical, Indian tale of adventure, it's set in the Himalayas and it's got peril and bravery and the kind of reckless optimism of youth ... it's like a Hindu version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It's *that* good. It's just an enchanting, powerful story. (Interviewer: "and good for adults to read?") Oh, it's REALLY fun! I read it at a gulp."
But while Asha's may be, Jasbinder's journey isn't over just yet! The awards ceremony is the end of January, when the judges will name one of the five
category winners, The Costa Book of the Year!
All in all, a very proud Agent Ben and a very exciting start to 2020!!
ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD shortlisted for the Costa Book Award!
Absolutely thrilled to announce that ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD by Jasbinder Bilan is among the just 20 books (across five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s) that make up the 2019 shortlists of The Costa Book Awards!
The Costa is the only major UK book prize open solely to UK and Irish authors and unique too, in that the winners in each of the five categories are then evaluated against each other and one is then declared the Costa Book of the Year at the end of January.
Just four books are shortlisted in each category and are in the running for that category’s Costa Book Award, which will be announced on the 6th January, so...
Keep everything crossed!
Very excited Agent Ben!
The Costa is the only major UK book prize open solely to UK and Irish authors and unique too, in that the winners in each of the five categories are then evaluated against each other and one is then declared the Costa Book of the Year at the end of January.
Just four books are shortlisted in each category and are in the running for that category’s Costa Book Award, which will be announced on the 6th January, so...
Keep everything crossed!
Very excited Agent Ben!
TWO BIA AUTHORS CARNEGIE NOMINATED!
Couldn't be happier for - or prouder of - Mel Darbon and Jasbinder Bilan, who have both received richly deserved CILIP Carnegie Medal nominations for their debut novels, ROSIE LOVES JACK and ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD, respectively. In addition to being great friends and contemporaries on the Bath Spa MAWYP; members of #TeamBIA AND award-winners already, they can now add Carnegie nominations to their list of shared achievements!
As ever, it's a strong list - and a LONG list! - but we have every confidence that these two outstanding, award-winning and critically acclaimed novels can more than hold their own, so roll on the longlist announcement in Feb... VERY proud Agent Ben!
As ever, it's a strong list - and a LONG list! - but we have every confidence that these two outstanding, award-winning and critically acclaimed novels can more than hold their own, so roll on the longlist announcement in Feb... VERY proud Agent Ben!
THE BOY WITH THE BUTTERFLY MIND by Victoria Williamson
Happy Book Birthday to Victoria Williamson, whose second novel, THE BOY WITH THE BUTTERFLY MIND is now out and to a GREAT response!
"What a masterclass in empathy ... gave me such a terrific insight into how ADHD affects a young boy and those around him."
- Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy
"Moving. Powerful. Relevant. Contemporary storytelling at its very best."
- Juliette Forrest, author of Twister
"My heart broke and soared by turns in this inspiring story of two kids who seem to have nothing in common but a desperate desire for their families to be whole"
- Shari Green, ALA Schneider Award-winning author of Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess
"Truly sensational ... suffused with real heart; empathy and emotionally-invested storytelling at its best ... My heart genuinely aches. A must, must, must read."
- Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher
"What a masterclass in empathy ... gave me such a terrific insight into how ADHD affects a young boy and those around him."
- Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish Boy
"Moving. Powerful. Relevant. Contemporary storytelling at its very best."
- Juliette Forrest, author of Twister
"My heart broke and soared by turns in this inspiring story of two kids who seem to have nothing in common but a desperate desire for their families to be whole"
- Shari Green, ALA Schneider Award-winning author of Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess
"Truly sensational ... suffused with real heart; empathy and emotionally-invested storytelling at its best ... My heart genuinely aches. A must, must, must read."
- Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher
GRUFFLES AND THE KILLER SHEEP (GS3) by Kate Wiseman
Happy Book Birthday to Kate Wiseman, whose third GANGSTER SCHOOL title, GRUFFLES AND THE KILLER SHEEP is out today!
"It's Crimicon - the annual meeting for promising young criminals - and this year it's being held at Crumley's, the dreaded School for Career Criminals, who also happen to be Blaggard's bitterest rivals. It's not until it's too late to turn back that Millie and Charlie realise that Gruffles, Charlie's devoted but stinky dog, has followed them. Can Milly and Charlie keep their school's reputation as the best school for criminals, steer clear of Dr B L Zeebub, Crumley's evil Head Teacher as well as keeping Gruffles out of harms way?"
Some praise for the Gangster School series:
"A romp full of wrongdoings, such knockabout fun" Guardian
"Exactly what Middle Grade should be: full of friendship and mayhem and children questioning their identity. It's criminally good"
Book Murmurration
"Gangster School is HILARIOUS" First News.
"It's Crimicon - the annual meeting for promising young criminals - and this year it's being held at Crumley's, the dreaded School for Career Criminals, who also happen to be Blaggard's bitterest rivals. It's not until it's too late to turn back that Millie and Charlie realise that Gruffles, Charlie's devoted but stinky dog, has followed them. Can Milly and Charlie keep their school's reputation as the best school for criminals, steer clear of Dr B L Zeebub, Crumley's evil Head Teacher as well as keeping Gruffles out of harms way?"
Some praise for the Gangster School series:
"A romp full of wrongdoings, such knockabout fun" Guardian
"Exactly what Middle Grade should be: full of friendship and mayhem and children questioning their identity. It's criminally good"
Book Murmurration
"Gangster School is HILARIOUS" First News.
ROSIE LOVES JACK by Mel Darbon up for TWO more awards!
Thrilled that in addition to winning the Leeds Book Award in her category and being shortlisted for the prestigious Branford Boase Award, ROSIE LOVES JACK by Mel Darbon has been shortlisted for a 2019 CrimeFest Award (Best crime novel for young adults - ages 12-16) AND nominated for the Edinburgh Book Festival's First Book Award, one of only two books written for younger readers on the list!
In case you missed it, in addition to a slew of astonishingly high praise and positive reviews, here's just a tiny fraction of what ROSIE LOVES JACK has achieved:
- A YA Book of the Year in The Sunday Times
- A Book of the Year at both Book Trust AND The Reading Zone
-The featured title for the Sussex Schools Big Summer Read 2019
- Among The Reading Agency's favourite debuts for 2018
- BOOK OF THE MONTH on publication in the Mail on Sunday, Guardian and Observer and at Book Trust, The Reading Zone and The Down the Rabbit Hole radio show.
In case you missed it, in addition to a slew of astonishingly high praise and positive reviews, here's just a tiny fraction of what ROSIE LOVES JACK has achieved:
- A YA Book of the Year in The Sunday Times
- A Book of the Year at both Book Trust AND The Reading Zone
-The featured title for the Sussex Schools Big Summer Read 2019
- Among The Reading Agency's favourite debuts for 2018
- BOOK OF THE MONTH on publication in the Mail on Sunday, Guardian and Observer and at Book Trust, The Reading Zone and The Down the Rabbit Hole radio show.
THE BOY WITH THE BUTTERFLY MIND by Victoria Williamson
Although not publishing until September, THE BOY WITH THE BUTTERFLY MIND has just secured a SECOND prestigious Kirkus Starred Review for Victoria Williamson, whose debut, THE FOX GIRL AND THE WHITE GAZELLE achieved a Kirkus Starred Review last year and was named by the US Board of Books for Young People as an Outstanding International Title.
Here's what the Kirkus reviewer had to say:
"Two British preteens grapple with their parents’ divorces — and sharing a home ... The harder Elin schemes to break up the family, the harder Jamie tries to keep the peace, driving the plot. Parental arguments, financial strain, and other dynamics add to the tension, and a butterfly motif unites the story. When the kids finally realize the pain they share, they join forces to become a blended family in an encouraging ending. Although Elin and Jamie are vastly different, the author deftly shows the trauma of divorce on children ... An achingly realistic, yet hopeful, depiction of divorce"
Here's what the Kirkus reviewer had to say:
"Two British preteens grapple with their parents’ divorces — and sharing a home ... The harder Elin schemes to break up the family, the harder Jamie tries to keep the peace, driving the plot. Parental arguments, financial strain, and other dynamics add to the tension, and a butterfly motif unites the story. When the kids finally realize the pain they share, they join forces to become a blended family in an encouraging ending. Although Elin and Jamie are vastly different, the author deftly shows the trauma of divorce on children ... An achingly realistic, yet hopeful, depiction of divorce"
ROSIE LOVES JACK on the Branford Boase shortlist!
Chuffed to bits to see Mel Darbon's name among the seven authors who, along with their editors, have been shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award, the only award in the industry to honour both writer and editor.
Julia Eccleshare says: “In its twenty-year history, the Branford Boase Award has given a crucial early career boost to the most exciting and important young authors, and prompted publishers to seek out new talent. What’s more, it continues to reflect the shape and preoccupations of contemporary children’s literature: themes explored include resilience, identity and a sense of self. We are proud of every one of its twenty shortlists and happy that so many years after their deaths, Wendy Boase and Henrietta Branford are celebrated in such a positive way.”
Here's what the Branford Boase judges said about ROSIE LOVES JACK:
"Rosie's voice is unique and disarming"
"Every teenager should read this"
"Feels totally authentic"
Julia Eccleshare says: “In its twenty-year history, the Branford Boase Award has given a crucial early career boost to the most exciting and important young authors, and prompted publishers to seek out new talent. What’s more, it continues to reflect the shape and preoccupations of contemporary children’s literature: themes explored include resilience, identity and a sense of self. We are proud of every one of its twenty shortlists and happy that so many years after their deaths, Wendy Boase and Henrietta Branford are celebrated in such a positive way.”
Here's what the Branford Boase judges said about ROSIE LOVES JACK:
"Rosie's voice is unique and disarming"
"Every teenager should read this"
"Feels totally authentic"
DRAGON DAUGHTER scoops another Leeds Book Award
So, yesterday the winner of the 9-11 category of the Leeds Book Award was announced, and I'm thrilled to say that it was *another* BIA title, the stunning and exhilarating Dragon Daughter by Liz Flanagan, which joins Mel Darbon's game-changing Rosie Loves Jack, winner of the 14-16 category, which was announced last week.
To all the kids in Leeds schools, who read, discussed, reviewed and voted, THANK YOU.
Two out of three winners for The BIA is just BRILLIANT!!
To all the kids in Leeds schools, who read, discussed, reviewed and voted, THANK YOU.
Two out of three winners for The BIA is just BRILLIANT!!
ROSIE LOVES JACK scoops Leeds Book Award
Extremely proud to announce that Mel Darbon's Rosie Loves Jack has beaten off some very stiff competition to be named winner of the 14-16 category of the 2019 Leeds Book Award!
Now in its 11th year, the LBA is voted on by pupils from schools across the city, who can also post reviews on the LBA website, giving them a voice and an influence on the books they want to read. With 19 reviews posted, averaging over 4.3 out of 5 stars, Rosie Loves Jack was the most positively reviewed book on the shortlist.
Here's more from the kids:
"Utterly wonderful ... heart-warming" Poppy, King James's School
"A must read" Marnie, Cardinal Heenan
"Really insightful and interesting" L, Manor CE Academy
"Eye opening ... well-written ... addictive" Thomas, King James's School
"Beautiful ... makes you laugh and cry" Amy, Farnley Academy
"Inspiring, emotional and educational" Tabitha, King James's School
"Heart-warming ... I didn’t want it to finish" Diana, Grange Tech College
"Amazing ... one of the best books I’ve read" Sneha, Allerton High School
ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD by Jasbinder Bilan
Happy Book Birthday to Jasbinder Bilan, whose Times Chicken House Award winning ASHA & THE SPIRIT BIRD is now out and already garnering STELLAR reviews:
"An evocative debut...weaves ancient Hindu beliefs into a fast-past quest...satisfyingly classic in feel."
- Guardian, Books Of The Month
"Fantastic debut...uplifting adventure...fire and fury...Bilan creates a vivid world."
- The Times Review, Children's Book Of The Week
"an eye-opening adventure with one-sandalled foot in atmospheric realism and a toe-hold in the mythical."
- Observer Review
“Immerse yourself in a lush world of spirit birds and mango trees, snow leopards and majestic mountains, in a sumptuous and sizzling debut...a colourful story guaranteed to the win the hearts and minds of MG readers.”
- Lancashire Post
"An evocative debut...weaves ancient Hindu beliefs into a fast-past quest...satisfyingly classic in feel."
- Guardian, Books Of The Month
"Fantastic debut...uplifting adventure...fire and fury...Bilan creates a vivid world."
- The Times Review, Children's Book Of The Week
"an eye-opening adventure with one-sandalled foot in atmospheric realism and a toe-hold in the mythical."
- Observer Review
“Immerse yourself in a lush world of spirit birds and mango trees, snow leopards and majestic mountains, in a sumptuous and sizzling debut...a colourful story guaranteed to the win the hearts and minds of MG readers.”
- Lancashire Post
BIA storms the Branford Boase longlist
The Branford Boase Award recognises the achievements of author AND editor of debut novels and is always an interesting list of writers to watch out for. Am over the moon to see Mel Darbon and Victoria Williamson on the longlist, together with editors Sarah Stewart at Usborne and Jennie Skinner and Sally Polson at Floris alongside them. Also on the list is a super secret all new member of Team BIA, whose identity will be revealed... So that's three novels out of twenty! Huge congratulations to all three writers and their editors and team!
SEAGLASS by Eloise Williams
Thrilled to bits that Wales Arts Review has named Seaglass by Eloise Williams one of the Top 10 Welsh Books for Young People of 2018, naming her the "The queen of children’s writing in Wales" in their text. Here's the full listing from the Top 10 round-up:
"The queen of children’s writing in Wales goes from strength to strength, and her third novel does not disappoint. A continuation of her unique brand of scary and page-turning story-telling skills, her latest book has already gone down a storm in classrooms around Wales. Strange figures in a fog, ruined houses in the woods, weird drawings of little girls, wild storms approaching… This is a chilling contemporary ghost story from the award-winning author of Gaslight,inspired by the sweeping Welsh shoreline."
Meanwhile, their review of Seaglass goes further, calling it:
"very successful ... vividly realised, pleasingly creepy but not gory or violent, with an engaging narrative voice"
"The queen of children’s writing in Wales goes from strength to strength, and her third novel does not disappoint. A continuation of her unique brand of scary and page-turning story-telling skills, her latest book has already gone down a storm in classrooms around Wales. Strange figures in a fog, ruined houses in the woods, weird drawings of little girls, wild storms approaching… This is a chilling contemporary ghost story from the award-winning author of Gaslight,inspired by the sweeping Welsh shoreline."
Meanwhile, their review of Seaglass goes further, calling it:
"very successful ... vividly realised, pleasingly creepy but not gory or violent, with an engaging narrative voice"
ROSIE LOVES JACK by Mel Darbon for #WorldBookNight
Enormously proud that Mel Darbon's extraordinary ROSIE LOVES JACK is among the handful of childrens titles joining those from adult lists for The Reading Agency's celebration of reading, #WorldBookNight 2019.
Now in its 9th year, #WBN takes place annually on the 23rd April, when books are given out across the UK with a focus on reaching those who don’t regularly read, through organisations including prisons, libraries, colleges, hospitals, care homes and homeless shelters.
In addition to this honour, ROSIE LOVES JACK has also been named:
- YA Book of the Year in The Sunday Times
- Book of the Year at both Book Trust AND The Reading Zone
- The featured title for the Sussex Schools Big Summer Read 2019
- Among The Reading Agency's favourite debuts for 2018 ---- - BOOK OF THE MONTH on publication in the Mail on Sunday, Guardian and Observer and at Book Trust, The Reading Zone and The Down the Rabbit Hole radio show.
Now in its 9th year, #WBN takes place annually on the 23rd April, when books are given out across the UK with a focus on reaching those who don’t regularly read, through organisations including prisons, libraries, colleges, hospitals, care homes and homeless shelters.
In addition to this honour, ROSIE LOVES JACK has also been named:
- YA Book of the Year in The Sunday Times
- Book of the Year at both Book Trust AND The Reading Zone
- The featured title for the Sussex Schools Big Summer Read 2019
- Among The Reading Agency's favourite debuts for 2018 ---- - BOOK OF THE MONTH on publication in the Mail on Sunday, Guardian and Observer and at Book Trust, The Reading Zone and The Down the Rabbit Hole radio show.
3 #TeamBIA LEEDS BOOK AWARDS SHORT-LISTINGS!
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Over the moon to announce that three #TeamBIA titles have been shortlisted for the 2019 Leeds Book Awards. Woo-hoo!
Mel Darbon's ROSIE LOVES JACK and M.A. Griffin's PAYBACK are both among a list of only six in the 14-16 category, while Liz Flanagan's DRAGON DAUGHTER made the final six in the 9-11 category. Huge congrats to all three writers and to all the other very strong writers who made it alongside them. |
DRAGON DAUGHTER by Liz Flanagan
Happy Book Birthday Liz Flanagan, whose powerful second novel DRAGON DAUGHTER is an epic saga in which fiery friendships, forgotten family and the struggle for power collide. Here's more:
"A thrilling fantasy quest. One to watch" The Bookseller
"Teeming with tension, danger, fast-paced action ... this is a thrilling middle grade epic full of heart, hope and themes of migration and tolerance which will strike a chord with youngsters.” Lancashire Post
“An astonishing book ... storytelling at its very best – exciting, political, poignant and utterly enchanting.” Tamsin Rosewell, Kenilworth Books
"A fantastic middle-grade read full of rich detail ... an epic adventure that is thrilling, captivating.” Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
"An outstanding example of the power of story" Gordon Askew
"The first in a new epic fantasy saga that takes readers on an unusual adventure, dealing with important themes of friendship, belonging, migration and difference, as well as the utter joy of dragons.” BookTrust
"immaculate worldbuilding, glorious characters and wonderful creatures. Book of the Week" @ReadItDaddy
"A thrilling fantasy quest. One to watch" The Bookseller
"Teeming with tension, danger, fast-paced action ... this is a thrilling middle grade epic full of heart, hope and themes of migration and tolerance which will strike a chord with youngsters.” Lancashire Post
“An astonishing book ... storytelling at its very best – exciting, political, poignant and utterly enchanting.” Tamsin Rosewell, Kenilworth Books
"A fantastic middle-grade read full of rich detail ... an epic adventure that is thrilling, captivating.” Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
"An outstanding example of the power of story" Gordon Askew
"The first in a new epic fantasy saga that takes readers on an unusual adventure, dealing with important themes of friendship, belonging, migration and difference, as well as the utter joy of dragons.” BookTrust
"immaculate worldbuilding, glorious characters and wonderful creatures. Book of the Week" @ReadItDaddy
BROTHERHOOD OF BRIMSTONE by Kate Wiseman
Happy Book Birthday Kate Wiseman, whose second book in the awesome Gangster School series, The Brotherhood of Brimstone is out now:
"A fun and fantastical school adventure that refuses to take itself too seriously. Forget about Hogwarts, young readers will be aspiring to join lessons in Defiance and Discourtesy at Gangster School!" @MadgeEekalReviews
"A funny and chaotic world, where the protagonists are undeniably the good guys, but are trying to pass as not-so-good, amongst a cast of shady eccentrics and quirky characters. This leads to many amusing incidents, making for a hilarious read, both for children and adults. A fun rip-roaring adventure." @SpaceOnTheBookshelf
"Gangster School is awesome. Is there a real Gangster School? If there is can I go? And if yes, can I have a robot dog?"
Spike - a child reader who his mum says is frugal with words :-)
"A fun and fantastical school adventure that refuses to take itself too seriously. Forget about Hogwarts, young readers will be aspiring to join lessons in Defiance and Discourtesy at Gangster School!" @MadgeEekalReviews
"A funny and chaotic world, where the protagonists are undeniably the good guys, but are trying to pass as not-so-good, amongst a cast of shady eccentrics and quirky characters. This leads to many amusing incidents, making for a hilarious read, both for children and adults. A fun rip-roaring adventure." @SpaceOnTheBookshelf
"Gangster School is awesome. Is there a real Gangster School? If there is can I go? And if yes, can I have a robot dog?"
Spike - a child reader who his mum says is frugal with words :-)
ROSIE LOVES JACK by Mel Darbon
Happy Book B'day Mel Darbon, whose quite extraordinary debut Rosie Loves Jack is out now to HUGE acclaim. More on Mel's author page, but here's a peek:
A BOOK OF THE MONTH in Mail on Sunday, Guardian and Observer
"Brave, unique and optimistic, it’s like nothing I’ve ever read before.”
Fiona Noble The Bookseller
"A pure joy from start to finish" Brian Conaghan
"This extraordinary book completely changed my perspective"
Julia Thum, The Bookshelf
“Everyone needs to read this book.” Tamsyn Murray
"A fantastic debut, I honestly can’t recommend it enough.”
The Northern YA Literature Festival
“The best thing I’ve read this year” Liz Flanagan
"Strong, heart-wrenching, beautiful, like Rosie.” @TheLonelyBookLover
"Squeezes your heart so hard. Hats off Mel Darbon” Lu Hersey
"Truly spectacular. Stunning. I’m struggling to find the words to describe it.” @AThousandMillionWordsAMillionBooks
A BOOK OF THE MONTH in Mail on Sunday, Guardian and Observer
"Brave, unique and optimistic, it’s like nothing I’ve ever read before.”
Fiona Noble The Bookseller
"A pure joy from start to finish" Brian Conaghan
"This extraordinary book completely changed my perspective"
Julia Thum, The Bookshelf
“Everyone needs to read this book.” Tamsyn Murray
"A fantastic debut, I honestly can’t recommend it enough.”
The Northern YA Literature Festival
“The best thing I’ve read this year” Liz Flanagan
"Strong, heart-wrenching, beautiful, like Rosie.” @TheLonelyBookLover
"Squeezes your heart so hard. Hats off Mel Darbon” Lu Hersey
"Truly spectacular. Stunning. I’m struggling to find the words to describe it.” @AThousandMillionWordsAMillionBooks
SEAGLASS by Eloise Williams
Huge congrats to Eloise Williams' whose Seaglass has been been pick of the crop all over; is a #PrimarySchoolBookClub pick and then there's been this critical response!
"Deliciously atmospheric" Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
"Brilliant. Atmospheric, chilling, but with real warmth at its heart" Kiran Milwood Hargrave
"This chilling ghost story will have readers gripped" BookTrust
"Brilliantly atmospheric & shiversome" Abi Elphinstone
"Wonderful. I hoped it would never end." The Bookshelf
"Powerful and thought-provoking. Truly exceptional." Amy Wilson
"Chilling, captivating and utterly brilliant!" @AnnaTheBookworm
"Eerie and entrancing" Liz Flanagan
"Had me wholly gripped." @FamilyBookwormsWales
"Wonderfully atmospheric and creepy. I LOVED this." Juliette Forrest
"Creepy. Exquisite. Highly recommended" @GetKidsIntoBooks
And that's barely even the half of it. More on Eloise's author page.
"Deliciously atmospheric" Fiona Noble, The Bookseller
"Brilliant. Atmospheric, chilling, but with real warmth at its heart" Kiran Milwood Hargrave
"This chilling ghost story will have readers gripped" BookTrust
"Brilliantly atmospheric & shiversome" Abi Elphinstone
"Wonderful. I hoped it would never end." The Bookshelf
"Powerful and thought-provoking. Truly exceptional." Amy Wilson
"Chilling, captivating and utterly brilliant!" @AnnaTheBookworm
"Eerie and entrancing" Liz Flanagan
"Had me wholly gripped." @FamilyBookwormsWales
"Wonderfully atmospheric and creepy. I LOVED this." Juliette Forrest
"Creepy. Exquisite. Highly recommended" @GetKidsIntoBooks
And that's barely even the half of it. More on Eloise's author page.
JACK DASH AND THE GREAT CUSTARD CAKE-OFF by Sophie Plowden
Set against the timely back drop of the village Bake-Off spin off, JD3 - or JACK DASH AND THE GREAT CUSTARD CAKE-OFF if you're being picky - is as utterly bonkers as you've come to expect and is out now. Joining Jack, Coco and Pablo the Penguin in this new adventure are: a camel-riding cowboy; the dastardly cake-baking-genius Dr Spleen; a peahen called Margot and a herd of rather improbable yaks!
"The adorable love-hate relationship between Jack and Coco continues unabated in this sparkling new adventure full of crazy characters, hilarious mishaps, and a crusty, curmudgeonly old man called Lord Crumble. The perfect read for your own little mischief-makers!"
Lancashire Evening Post
"Fantastic characters abound and they get better with each book in the series. A hilarious story, with equally hilarious drawings by Judy Brown, this is just the sort of book to encourage children to enjoy reading."
Parents in Touch, an online educational resource and guide to reading for parents of primary-aged children
"The adorable love-hate relationship between Jack and Coco continues unabated in this sparkling new adventure full of crazy characters, hilarious mishaps, and a crusty, curmudgeonly old man called Lord Crumble. The perfect read for your own little mischief-makers!"
Lancashire Evening Post
"Fantastic characters abound and they get better with each book in the series. A hilarious story, with equally hilarious drawings by Judy Brown, this is just the sort of book to encourage children to enjoy reading."
Parents in Touch, an online educational resource and guide to reading for parents of primary-aged children
PAYBACK by M.A. Griffin
Happy Book Bday to MA Griffin, whose Payback, is everything you'd hope - compelling and electrifying as Lifers, Payback has a timely political edge to it too AND it's a super-clever, high-concept, heist-thriller. Here's more on the premise:
“The richest 1% control half the world’s wealth. It’s time for a new Robin Hood; a company of trained thieves called Takeback.The teenagers of the anti-capitalist Takeback group have one mission: to steal from the rich and give to the poor. A timely political thriller”
And here's the first response!
"As usual, Chicken House has done a fantastic job with the presentation – a matt black cover with reflective gold foil lettering, and an image of five mysterious, masked teenagers. But it’s what’s inside that really counts, and now that I’ve re-surfaced (breathless) from this edgy, cool thriller, I bring good news; it’s awesome!"
Dan Smith, author of Boy X, Below Zero, Big Game and others, writing for the Author Allsorts blog
“The richest 1% control half the world’s wealth. It’s time for a new Robin Hood; a company of trained thieves called Takeback.The teenagers of the anti-capitalist Takeback group have one mission: to steal from the rich and give to the poor. A timely political thriller”
And here's the first response!
"As usual, Chicken House has done a fantastic job with the presentation – a matt black cover with reflective gold foil lettering, and an image of five mysterious, masked teenagers. But it’s what’s inside that really counts, and now that I’ve re-surfaced (breathless) from this edgy, cool thriller, I bring good news; it’s awesome!"
Dan Smith, author of Boy X, Below Zero, Big Game and others, writing for the Author Allsorts blog
THE FOX GIRL AND THE WHITE GAZELLE by Victoria Williamson
Chuffed to bits that The Fox Girl and The White Gazelle has achieved a Kirkus starred review in the US. No mean feat for any writer, but for a debut novelist, published by a small press here in the UK, it's BRILLIANT! Here's an excerpt from the review text:
"By alternating the two girls’ first-person narrations (punctuating them with the fox’s voice in verse), Williamson allows readers to quickly relate to both white Glaswegian Caylin and Syrian-immigrant Reema, seeing in them reflections of the many problems children face around the world today. Her writing is culturally sensitive, incorporating various Arabic phrases and Islamic practices without Orientalizing them or sensationalizing the circumstances.
With her two characters, Williamson movingly makes it clear that working-class solidarity traverses borders, race, ethnicity, and religion. (Fiction. 10-15)"
AND you can hear a passage from The Fox Girl and The White Gazelle , read by Victoria herself, up on Youtube.
"By alternating the two girls’ first-person narrations (punctuating them with the fox’s voice in verse), Williamson allows readers to quickly relate to both white Glaswegian Caylin and Syrian-immigrant Reema, seeing in them reflections of the many problems children face around the world today. Her writing is culturally sensitive, incorporating various Arabic phrases and Islamic practices without Orientalizing them or sensationalizing the circumstances.
With her two characters, Williamson movingly makes it clear that working-class solidarity traverses borders, race, ethnicity, and religion. (Fiction. 10-15)"
AND you can hear a passage from The Fox Girl and The White Gazelle , read by Victoria herself, up on Youtube.
GANGSTER SCHOOL by Kate Wiseman
May 2018 and the Book Birthday Bubbles go to Kate Wiseman, whose long-awaited debut Gangster School series is now out.
"Set at a Hogwarts for would-be infamous baddies, this romp full of wrongdoing [is] all such knockabout fun that you overlook the parallels to that other establishment."
Kitty Empire, Observer Best Recent Fiction for Children
"Brilliantly entertaining and criminally good, Gangster School is a masterly mayhem of an adventure stuffed full of thrills, danger and downright dastardly behaviour ... intriguing and hilarious ... left me wanting more." @BookloverJo, primary school librarian and blogger
"Humorous, entertaining and light-hearted ... cleverly and convincingly constructed ... Gangster School is bags of fun and I’m already looking forward to the sequel, coming in September"
Books for Topics, A primary teacher's resource website
"Set at a Hogwarts for would-be infamous baddies, this romp full of wrongdoing [is] all such knockabout fun that you overlook the parallels to that other establishment."
Kitty Empire, Observer Best Recent Fiction for Children
"Brilliantly entertaining and criminally good, Gangster School is a masterly mayhem of an adventure stuffed full of thrills, danger and downright dastardly behaviour ... intriguing and hilarious ... left me wanting more." @BookloverJo, primary school librarian and blogger
"Humorous, entertaining and light-hearted ... cleverly and convincingly constructed ... Gangster School is bags of fun and I’m already looking forward to the sequel, coming in September"
Books for Topics, A primary teacher's resource website
THE FOX GIRL AND THE WHITE GAZELLE by Victoria Williamson
April 2018 and it's a very happy book birthday to Victoria Williamson. The Fox Girl and The White Gazelle is now out and continues to make quite a splash. In addition to quotes further down, here's more:
"Deserves to be one of 2018's most lauded books. Tackling racism, discrimination and bullying head-on in a book aimed at upper primary children is no mean feat, but Victoria Williamson does it with great sensitivity ... This is a book that I wish every child would read"
@ThatBoyCanTeach, book blogger and teacher
"An uplifting story about the power of acceptance and friendship. I just loved it and it needs to be in every primary and secondary school library" @BookloverJo, primary school librarian and blogger
"A truly transformational read. Intensely powerful and immensely poignant at the same time… such a groundbreaking, essential and accomplished debut that not only changes perceptions but also has the power to alter attitudes ... a writer to watch."
@TheReaderTeacher, book blogger and teacher
"Deserves to be one of 2018's most lauded books. Tackling racism, discrimination and bullying head-on in a book aimed at upper primary children is no mean feat, but Victoria Williamson does it with great sensitivity ... This is a book that I wish every child would read"
@ThatBoyCanTeach, book blogger and teacher
"An uplifting story about the power of acceptance and friendship. I just loved it and it needs to be in every primary and secondary school library" @BookloverJo, primary school librarian and blogger
"A truly transformational read. Intensely powerful and immensely poignant at the same time… such a groundbreaking, essential and accomplished debut that not only changes perceptions but also has the power to alter attitudes ... a writer to watch."
@TheReaderTeacher, book blogger and teacher
HEART OF MARS by Paul Magrs
March 2018 and a Happy Book B'day to Paul Magrs, whose Heart of Mars is out now. Here's some of the praise - lots more on Paul's author page:
"This flamboyant fusion of science fiction and classic adventure contains more sparks and surprises than a box of fireworks. It’s a rousing epic underpinned by playfulness, and a drive to do the right thing in even the most difficult of circumstances. It’s also a genuine, 100%-certified crossover that will delight a vast spectrum of readers."
Joanne Owen, LoveReading
"Lost on Mars was my favourite book of 2015. The Martian Girl (2016), was, again, excellent. The final instalment is absolutely amazing. A sci-fi delight that everyone should read and a reading adventure like no other; something really special by one of the best authors around. Definitely a book to devour and a series to savour." Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
'"Funny, scary, and like Ray Bradbury crossed with Laura Ingalls Wilder, it will appeal to boys and Doctor Who fans." Amanda Craig, Independent
"This flamboyant fusion of science fiction and classic adventure contains more sparks and surprises than a box of fireworks. It’s a rousing epic underpinned by playfulness, and a drive to do the right thing in even the most difficult of circumstances. It’s also a genuine, 100%-certified crossover that will delight a vast spectrum of readers."
Joanne Owen, LoveReading
"Lost on Mars was my favourite book of 2015. The Martian Girl (2016), was, again, excellent. The final instalment is absolutely amazing. A sci-fi delight that everyone should read and a reading adventure like no other; something really special by one of the best authors around. Definitely a book to devour and a series to savour." Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books
'"Funny, scary, and like Ray Bradbury crossed with Laura Ingalls Wilder, it will appeal to boys and Doctor Who fans." Amanda Craig, Independent
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BIA!!
15th March 2018.
5 years ago today, I launched my own independent literary agency, The BIA. Times were unbelievably tough and it wasn't easy. At all. This photo is made up of just some of the books written by the wonderful and talented writers in #TeamBIA and published in that period, most of whom hadn't been published before. I couldn't have dreamed of doing what The BIA has done without their support, for which I will always be grateful.
Among these books, you will see prize winners and bestsellers, some have movies and TV series in development, others are quietly cementing their authors' reputations behind the scenes. There are also those that haven't yet had their chance, from writers that haven't yet had their moment. Me, I'm just immensely proud of them all.
5 years ago today, I launched my own independent literary agency, The BIA. Times were unbelievably tough and it wasn't easy. At all. This photo is made up of just some of the books written by the wonderful and talented writers in #TeamBIA and published in that period, most of whom hadn't been published before. I couldn't have dreamed of doing what The BIA has done without their support, for which I will always be grateful.
Among these books, you will see prize winners and bestsellers, some have movies and TV series in development, others are quietly cementing their authors' reputations behind the scenes. There are also those that haven't yet had their chance, from writers that haven't yet had their moment. Me, I'm just immensely proud of them all.
THE FOX GIRL AND THE WHITE GAZELLE by Victoria Williamson
FEB update: It's not even released until April, but am hugely pleased to reveal that Victoria Williamson's inspiring and beautiful debut novel of loss, redemption and friendship, THE FOX GIRL AND THE WHITE GAZELLE, has been shortlisted for the Teach Primary Book Awards!
Here's some quotes from early reader reviews:
"A touching, thought-provoking adventure." The Bookseller
“Relevant, moving, and quite extraordinary.” Lucy Coats
“A beautiful story singing with love and hope.” Sarah Driver
“Wonderfully written … touched my heart.” Claire McFall
“An essential read in today's political climate.” Lu Hersey
“Beautifully written, touching, and inspiring.” Nikki Sheehan
“I can’t imagine a more important or inspiring message to convey in a book right now.” Eloise Williams
“Well-crafted, inspiring and a wonderful read." Rachel Hamilton
Not a bad start at all! Thanks to all at Teach Primary and to all those early readers. Full reviews over on Victoria's client page.
Here's some quotes from early reader reviews:
"A touching, thought-provoking adventure." The Bookseller
“Relevant, moving, and quite extraordinary.” Lucy Coats
“A beautiful story singing with love and hope.” Sarah Driver
“Wonderfully written … touched my heart.” Claire McFall
“An essential read in today's political climate.” Lu Hersey
“Beautifully written, touching, and inspiring.” Nikki Sheehan
“I can’t imagine a more important or inspiring message to convey in a book right now.” Eloise Williams
“Well-crafted, inspiring and a wonderful read." Rachel Hamilton
Not a bad start at all! Thanks to all at Teach Primary and to all those early readers. Full reviews over on Victoria's client page.
FERRYMAN acquired by LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT
JANUARY 2018 and the BIG NEWS is out. Claire McFall's international bestselling phenomenon FERRYMAN series has been bought by Hollywood studio Legendary Entertainment. The news was broken by The Guardian and Deadline Hollywood. This from The Bookseller:
"Legendary Entertainment acquired the worldwide film and graphic novel rights to the award-winning YA series ... The studio has previously developed films such as Inception, Batman Begins and Jurassic World. Further international publishing deals ... include a seven-way publishing auction recently closed in France with Elsa Lafon at Michel Lafon for a “high five-figure” sum. Other territories sold include Chinese Complex to Yuan-Liou in Taiwan, Vietnamese to Dinh Ti Books, and Turkish to Yapi Kredi Yayinlari"
Chinese simplified rights are held by Beijing White Horse Time, who have achieved over a million copies sold and over two years of consistent monthly Top 10 Open Book charting, with the sequel TRESPASSERS now sitting alongside FERRYMAN in the Open Book Top 10.
"Legendary Entertainment acquired the worldwide film and graphic novel rights to the award-winning YA series ... The studio has previously developed films such as Inception, Batman Begins and Jurassic World. Further international publishing deals ... include a seven-way publishing auction recently closed in France with Elsa Lafon at Michel Lafon for a “high five-figure” sum. Other territories sold include Chinese Complex to Yuan-Liou in Taiwan, Vietnamese to Dinh Ti Books, and Turkish to Yapi Kredi Yayinlari"
Chinese simplified rights are held by Beijing White Horse Time, who have achieved over a million copies sold and over two years of consistent monthly Top 10 Open Book charting, with the sequel TRESPASSERS now sitting alongside FERRYMAN in the Open Book Top 10.
GASLIGHT named Welsh Arts Review Book of the Year
DECEMBER 2018 and a very welcome stocking filler for Eloise Williams, whose GASLIGHT has fought off some big name competition to be named Welsh Arts Review's Young People’s Book of the Year 2017.
"In a strong list of books for children and young people, the winner this year is a book that has everybody talking about it. Eloise Williams’s dark and Dickensian thriller brings to life the backstreets of Victorian Cardiff with the unforgettable heroine, Nansi. The atmospheric storytelling will have you gripped from the first page."
Welsh Arts Review
Here's a link to the full list, which may include a certain Mr Pullman too.
Eloise's next book, SEAGLASS, is a salty, windswept and spooky contemporary mystery for middle grade, set in a travelers' community on the dramatic West Pembrokeshire coast. SEAGLASS is published in September 2018, an appropriate title for one of Wales's up and coming stars, in Wales Tourism's Year of the Sea
"In a strong list of books for children and young people, the winner this year is a book that has everybody talking about it. Eloise Williams’s dark and Dickensian thriller brings to life the backstreets of Victorian Cardiff with the unforgettable heroine, Nansi. The atmospheric storytelling will have you gripped from the first page."
Welsh Arts Review
Here's a link to the full list, which may include a certain Mr Pullman too.
Eloise's next book, SEAGLASS, is a salty, windswept and spooky contemporary mystery for middle grade, set in a travelers' community on the dramatic West Pembrokeshire coast. SEAGLASS is published in September 2018, an appropriate title for one of Wales's up and coming stars, in Wales Tourism's Year of the Sea
GOB-SMACKING NEWS FROM CHINA....
NOVEMBER 2017 and the first month's Open Book charts, that collate sales data across the whole of China, since the Chinese edition of TRESPASSERS was published in September have now been released... And....
Not only has TRESPASSERS leapt into the Top 10 at Number Three, but FERRYMAN is still right up alongside it in the Top 10, at a very respectable Number Six.
Yes, that's TWO books in the Top 10 National Fiction Charts for Claire. TWO!! And that's not even just in the children's books category, we're talking General Fiction. All fiction. ALL OF IT!
But even that's not all. Not only has TRESPASSERS made it into the Top 10 charts, but FERRYMAN has now been in the Top 10 every single month for two whole years. Yep, that's 24 whole months...
FERRYMAN - #TheLittleBookThatCould
Not only has TRESPASSERS leapt into the Top 10 at Number Three, but FERRYMAN is still right up alongside it in the Top 10, at a very respectable Number Six.
Yes, that's TWO books in the Top 10 National Fiction Charts for Claire. TWO!! And that's not even just in the children's books category, we're talking General Fiction. All fiction. ALL OF IT!
But even that's not all. Not only has TRESPASSERS made it into the Top 10 charts, but FERRYMAN has now been in the Top 10 every single month for two whole years. Yep, that's 24 whole months...
FERRYMAN - #TheLittleBookThatCould
FISH BOY by Chloe Daykin nominated for the Carnegie
Over the blimming MOON to see Chloe Daykin's astonishing debut, FISH BOY on an astonishingly strong list of nominations for the Carnegie Medal. Seems a good time too to reveal the design for the paperback which really needs to be seen in the glorious papery flesh to appreciate it in all its sparkly glory. Since it was a Book of the Month in The Bookseller, the praise for FISH BOY has been overwhelming:
"Unforgettable" Books for Keeps
"A Book Apart" Observer
"Remarkably imaginative and lyrical" Daily Mail
"Mesmerising" Guardian
"Utterly charming" Bookbag
"Beautiful" Countryfile
"This is the real thing" David Almond
"Grips you from the start" BookTrust
"A joy to read" Carousel
"Captured my heart" The Bookseller
"Unforgettable" Books for Keeps
"A Book Apart" Observer
"Remarkably imaginative and lyrical" Daily Mail
"Mesmerising" Guardian
"Utterly charming" Bookbag
"Beautiful" Countryfile
"This is the real thing" David Almond
"Grips you from the start" BookTrust
"A joy to read" Carousel
"Captured my heart" The Bookseller
TRESPASSERS by Claire McFall
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SEPTEMBER 2017 and it's a Happy Book Birthday to Claire McFall, because the wait is over, Dylan and Tristan are BACK and in TRESPASSERS the path of their love just got even rockier.
Launching simultaneously in the UK and in China, where FERRYMAN remains in the Top 10 fiction charts, TRESPASSERS continues their story in the second of three FERRYMAN novels. Here's an excerpt from an early review in the South China Post: "Forget J.K. Rowling: if you want a Scottish-based young adult writer making it big in China, then Claire McFall is your novelist ... An otherworldly romance novel with a twist, Claire McFall’s latest impressive, moving book continues the tale of the Ferryman, shifting out of limbo and back into the land of the living ... McFall mixes realism, romance and the gothic to impressive and moving effect. Fans new and old will be well satisfied." Post Magazine |
JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD
by Sophie Plowden
AUGUST 2017 and JACK'S BACK! Happy Book Birthday to Sophie Plowden, as JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD is OUT NOW!
Having freed Sardina the Sealion and foiled the dastardly schemings of Mayor Gristle in book one, Jack must face his worst nightmare yet - his first day at a new school! Luckily, he is accompanied by his new sidekick/best friend/worst enemy Coco McBean. Luckier still, he has his magic feather to help him. Or does he?! Introducing Pablo the Penguin (and a couple of hundred of his best and most anarchic penguin friends) and featuring giant cupcakes, speedboats, perhaps the worst giant pizza in history AND evil headmistress Miss Frostbite, JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD really is, as Mo O'Hara says "Funny with a capital F!"
"Thoroughly entertaining, exciting, funny and imaginative: Brilliant!"
Giles Andreae, author of Billy Bonkers
"As funny as a pig on stilts! Jack Dash is my kind of hero"
Matt Brown, author of Compton Valance
Having freed Sardina the Sealion and foiled the dastardly schemings of Mayor Gristle in book one, Jack must face his worst nightmare yet - his first day at a new school! Luckily, he is accompanied by his new sidekick/best friend/worst enemy Coco McBean. Luckier still, he has his magic feather to help him. Or does he?! Introducing Pablo the Penguin (and a couple of hundred of his best and most anarchic penguin friends) and featuring giant cupcakes, speedboats, perhaps the worst giant pizza in history AND evil headmistress Miss Frostbite, JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD really is, as Mo O'Hara says "Funny with a capital F!"
"Thoroughly entertaining, exciting, funny and imaginative: Brilliant!"
Giles Andreae, author of Billy Bonkers
"As funny as a pig on stilts! Jack Dash is my kind of hero"
Matt Brown, author of Compton Valance
FERRYMAN by Claire McFall
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JULY 2017 and ahead of the forthcoming publication of the first of TWO direct sequels, TRESPASSERS, Claire's new publisher Floris have re-released her debut FERRYMAN, with a hauntingly beautiful new look.
FERRYMAN:
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THE WITCH OF DEMON ROCK by Gabrielle Kent
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June 2017 and to celebrate publication of the third ALFIE BLOOM adventure, Scholastic have re-released all three titles - THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE, THE TALISMAN THIEF and now THE WITCH OF DEMON ROCK - with this STUNNING new jacket design.
ALFIE BLOOM: "Has a little of everything, time-travel, magic, mystery and an enigmatic butler! It is a satisfying story of good versus evil and little versus big that will resonate with young readers. The characters are affable and adventurous ... well-paced story-telling will keep you hooked to the end." BookTrust |
EDEN SUMMER by Liz Flanagan
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MAY 2017 and a Happy Paperback Book B'day to Liz Flanagan, whose critically acclaimed EDEN SUMMER is out now in PB and racking up some cracking reviews:
“A breathless read” Guardian ‘Best New Children’s Books’ “A truly gripping plot, combined with beautiful, emotionally rich writing.” The Bookseller “Flanagan has a real ability to write from the heart, frankly and honestly, in a way that teens will love.” BookTrust “A really outstanding debut” Teens on Moon Lane “The perfect fast-paced mysterious book to round off your vacation ...Think ‘Pretty Little Liars’, full of flashbacks, tension, and confusion in the best possible way." United by Pop ‘5 Books you should read this Summer’ |
GASLIGHT by Eloise Williams
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APRIL 2017 and a Happy Book B'day to Eloise Williams, whose GASLIGHT is going down a storm:
“An absolute firecracker of a book – gorgeously raw, dark and Dickensian… dreamlike and intoxicating… genuinely terrifying… so wonderfully atmospheric I could almost smell the greasepaint…” Lucy Strange, author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood “An excellent piece of melodrama for younger readers, setting and characters vividly described. Recommended for fans of Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart books, and you could follow up with some Dickens too.” Andrea Reece. Lovereading4kids “A darkly delicious romp through the backstreets of Victorian Cardiff. I loved it!” Emma Carroll, author of In Darkling Wood And there's loads more over on Eloise's author page..... |
STANLY'S GHOST by Stefan Mohamed
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APRIL 2017 and it's a very Happy Book B'day to Stefan Mohamed, whose "pitch perfect" (Guardian) BITTER SIXTEEN trilogy reaches its explosive conclusion in STANLY'S GHOST:
"Mohamed’s tight, twisting plot keeps things firmly on track, leading to a conclusion filled with heart, action, and personality that makes sense for both the plot and the vibrant cast of characters he has created. I’m not normally one for hyperbole, but I can quite honestly say that Stefan Mohamed has written one of the best YA trilogies out there, and certainly, in my opinion, the best by a British writer.” Luke Marlowe, The Bookbag, 5 stars “An excellent teen series... a rounded story with believable characters that power the action along. Added to Mohamed’s (by now) trademark razor sharp dialogue and frame-by-frame action, this makes a trilogy with a huge amount of heart.” Booktrust |
INTO THE NO ZONE by Eugene Lambert
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Last, but far from least, of the APRIL 2017 reverse alphabetical order Happy Book Birthdays goes to Eugene Lambert, whose INTO THE NO ZONE is out now, continuing Kyle, Colm and Sky's nail-biting adventure from THE SIGN OF ONE - "A thrilling YA sci-fi adventure reminiscent of Hunger Games and Star Wars" Booktrust
"Action-packed and full of peril and intrigue ... I thoroughly enjoyed getting to explore some other aspects of the society that we didn't get to see much of in the first book. We also get answers to some of the questions left hanging but there's still a lot left unresolved. Everything ended on a very exciting note that has me eager to read on in the series." Reviewer Janine, via NetGalley "It pulled me in, rushed me through, and spat me out all in one day. My one problem with this book is that I HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR TO READ THE NEXT ONE!! I need to read The Long Forever now!" Mia, GoodReads Reviewer |
+ + + NEW DEALS ALERT + + +
Thrilled to be announcing two new deals ahead of the Spring Book Fair season:
+++ ROSIE LOVES JACK to Usborne in a two-book WEL deal +++
Sarah Stewart, Usborne Senior Fiction Editor, has acquired World English rights for YA novel Rosie Loves Jack by BIA debut author Mel Darbon. Stunningly beautiful and uniquely insightful, Rosie Loves Jack is a story about Rosie, who has Down’s Syndrome, as she fights for the little freedoms that so many of us take for granted – independence, tolerance and love.
“Mel Darbon has created a character in Rosie who you will undoubtedly adore and written a book that you will undoubtedly love.” - Brian Conaghan, Costa-winning author of The Bombs That Brought Us Together
ROSIE LOVES JACK will publish in September 2018
+++ FERRYMAN, its sequel, TRESPASSERS, and a third untitled novel to Floris in a WEL deal +++
Eleanor Collins, Senior Commissioning Editor at Floris, has acquired World English Rights on a three book contract for Scottish Teenage Book Prize and Scottish Book Award winner Claire McFall. Floris will lead with a revised reissue of the 2014 Scottish Book Award winner FERRYMAN and a sequel TRESPASSERS, both to be published in September 2017. A third novel, as yet untitled, will follow in 2018. TRESPASSERS will also be published simultaneously in China by White Horse Books, whose edition of FERRYMAN has now sold almost a million copies and been named the number one bestselling e-book of 2016 and number four across all formats.
+++ ROSIE LOVES JACK to Usborne in a two-book WEL deal +++
Sarah Stewart, Usborne Senior Fiction Editor, has acquired World English rights for YA novel Rosie Loves Jack by BIA debut author Mel Darbon. Stunningly beautiful and uniquely insightful, Rosie Loves Jack is a story about Rosie, who has Down’s Syndrome, as she fights for the little freedoms that so many of us take for granted – independence, tolerance and love.
“Mel Darbon has created a character in Rosie who you will undoubtedly adore and written a book that you will undoubtedly love.” - Brian Conaghan, Costa-winning author of The Bombs That Brought Us Together
ROSIE LOVES JACK will publish in September 2018
+++ FERRYMAN, its sequel, TRESPASSERS, and a third untitled novel to Floris in a WEL deal +++
Eleanor Collins, Senior Commissioning Editor at Floris, has acquired World English Rights on a three book contract for Scottish Teenage Book Prize and Scottish Book Award winner Claire McFall. Floris will lead with a revised reissue of the 2014 Scottish Book Award winner FERRYMAN and a sequel TRESPASSERS, both to be published in September 2017. A third novel, as yet untitled, will follow in 2018. TRESPASSERS will also be published simultaneously in China by White Horse Books, whose edition of FERRYMAN has now sold almost a million copies and been named the number one bestselling e-book of 2016 and number four across all formats.
FISH BOY by Chloe Daykin
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March 2017 and it's Happy Book Bday to Chloe Daykin, whose stunning FISH BOY has scored the most amazing reviews:
"I give very very few quotes - it's really important that I only support books that I genuinely believe in ... I picked this up and didn’t stop reading till I’d read it all. It really is distinctive, appealing, moving, funny. Strange, but very grounded in a real and believable world. Congratulations. This is the real thing.” - David Almond "One of the most memorable debuts I’ve read in a long time ... Daykin is a terrifically talented writer ... strange & beguiling, quirky & literary ... her assured debut won my heart." - Bookseller Book of the Month "Utterly unusual and mesmerising" - Abi Elphinstone "Perfect for fans of A Monster Calls" - Book Geek "A beautifully written debut about a lonely boy" - Irish Independent |
Claire McFall wins Scottish Teenage Book Prize
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March 2017 and a huge congratulations to Claire McFall on winning the Scottish Teenage Book Prize for BLACK CAIRN POINT!
Claire said of the win: “I'm over the moon that Black Cairn Point has been voted the winner of the first Scottish Teenage Book Prize. It's a brilliant award that encourages young people around Scotland to read books about and from their country and their culture. But it also encourages them to get involved by taking part in the competitions for readers that run alongside. [her runners-up] Silver Skin and The Last Soldier are both terrific books, so to know that readers chose my novel is an enormous compliment. This is why I write.” Claire is, of course, no stranger either to prize wins or to bestseller status. Her debut novel FERRYMAN won the Older Readers Category of the Scottish Children's Book Awards back in 2013 and has gone on to sell almost a million copies worldwide, becoming the number one bestselling e-book in China (and number four bestseller across all formats) in 2016. |
WE COME APART by Brian Conaghan and Sarah Crossan
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Feb 2017 and it's a very happy book birthday to Costa Award winner Brian Conaghan and Carnegie Medal winner Sarah Crossan, whose astonishing and necessary collaboration WE COME APART is out now, to huge critical acclaim. Here's a small selection:
"With two distinct character voices that leap off the page, and the authors’ empathy for teenagers in tough situations, this is a hopeful song of a novel" - Irish Times "A beautiful tale of love, hope and survival" - Guardian “An equally lovely and painful story about the brief intersection of Jess and Nicu’s lives, and its theme of celebrating shared human experiences despite cultural and linguistic borders is particularly relevant in recent times" - Buzzfeed "Heartbreaking in the best possible way" - Bookseller, Book of the Month |
“Spanning immigration, xenophobia, arranged marriage, domestic violence, anti-social behaviour and more, this is a star-crossed love story of heart-rending clarity. It doesn't shy from the inevitable denouement but somehow, hope is always front and centre. I loved it." - Bookbag
“Being written in free verse means that this dual narrative story goes straight to the heart of Jess and Nicu’s friendship, exploring their feelings with immediacy and heart.” - Booktrust
"Unputdownable story, beautifully told" - Love Reading 4 Kids
“Being written in free verse means that this dual narrative story goes straight to the heart of Jess and Nicu’s friendship, exploring their feelings with immediacy and heart.” - Booktrust
"Unputdownable story, beautifully told" - Love Reading 4 Kids
Brian Conaghan wins the COSTA KIDS' BOOK AWARD
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Jan 2017 kicks off with the best news imaginable - Brian Conaghan has won the 2016 Costa Children's Book Award for THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER, out now in paperback...
“This accomplished new novel establishes him as a major talent. It's incredibly powerful and thought-provoking on big issues such as nationalism, war and refugees, and poses some challenging moral questions. It's also brilliantly funny with characters that you will really root for.” – Editor's Choice, Bookseller “A dark, powerful tale of survival, morality and loyalty” – Scotsman “A clever, entertaining and engaging piece of writing ... very carefully composed and gradually seducing its readers with its sense of fun, detail and, as appropriate, seriousness.” – Robert Dunbar, Irish Times “I loved When Mr Dog Bites and have been wondering what he would do next. And it's utterly different. But equally remarkable …” – Bookbag |
AND only a month til WE COME APART, Brian's heart-breakingly beautiful collaboration with 2016 Carnegie Medal Winner Sarah Crossan, comes out. More news and reviews on Brian's client page
FISH BOY by Chloe Daykin makes 2nd consecutive Bookseller BOOK OF THE MONTH for #TeamBIA
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FISH BOY by Chloe Daykin is The Bookseller's March BOOK OF THE MONTH, while Brian Conaghan and Sarah Crossan's WE COME APART was BOTM for Feb.
Fiona Noble said, of FISH BOY (March): "One of the most memorable debuts I've read in a long time ... Daykin is a terrifically talented writer... Strange and beguiling, quirky and literary ... highly recommended for fans of David Almond and Frank Cottrell-Boyce." And of WE COME APART (February): "One of my most anticipated books of 2017, and the result is something spectacular... Utterly true and compelling... Will break your heart in the best possible way." |
AWARDS and DEALS woo-hoo! (but first off, AWARDS)...
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Nominations season kicked off with the wonderful news that Claire McFall's BLACK CAIRN POINT has been shortlisted for the SCOTTISH TEEN BOOK AWARD.
This is Claire's second shortlisting for the prize, which she won back in 2014 for her debut novel FERRYMAN. In addition to a fantastic reception back home in Scotland, FERRYMAN has had a remarkable year internationally, having now spent over a year in the TOP 10 GENERAL FICTION CHART IN CHINA, since its release there in summer 2015. FERRYMAN has now completed its thirteenth consecutive month in the charts - and in the NUMBER ONE spot, no less - leaving Claire well on her way to becoming #TeamBIA's first million-selling author. |
Claire has also been named one of the ten most influential writers in China for 2016, the only non-Chinese writer to feature on this hallowed list. All of this has led to Claire (together with selfless Agent Ben) being invited on a promotional trip to Beijing in January 2017. Bring on the pandas, I say... AND, watch this space in early 2017 for some more VERY EXCITING NEWS INDEED ABOUT FERRYMAN...
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From the international to the regional, and am immensely proud to announce that Sophie Plowden's debut JACK DASH AND THE MAGIC FEATHER has been shortlisted for the Lancashire Libraries 2017 FANTASTIC BOOK AWARDS, judged by primary school pupils across Lancashire.
Meanwhile, Eloise Williams, whose 2016 debut ELEN'S ISLAND and 2017 follow-up GASLIGHT are published by Firefly, was runner-up in the WELLS LITERATURE FESTIVAL'S CHILDREN'S NOVEL PRIZE for unpublished work and Lu Hersey's MsLEXIA AWARD-winning debut, DEEP WATER, was shortlisted for the 2016 WIRRAL PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD. |
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Martin Griffin's debut POISON BOY won the Times/Chicken House Prize and his latest book LIFERS has also been picking up the nominations, having been longlisted for both the ST HELENS BOOK AWARD and the REDBRIDGE TEENAGE BOOK AWARD and shortlisted for the 2017 WIRRAL PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR AWARD too.
Gabrielle Kent, meanwhile, has been shortlisted for no fewer than five awards for ALFIE BLOOM AND THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE to date: The CUMBRIA SPELLBINDING BOOK AWARD, HOUNSLOW S.L.S. JUNIOR BOOK AWARD, STOCKPORT BOOK AWARD, STOCKTON BOOK OF THE YEAR and the WEALD BOOK AWARD.
Over in the world of audio drama, Paul Magrs's independently produced Dr Who spin-off comedy BAKERS END: THE KING OF CATS has been nominated for a BBC AUDIO DRAMA AWARD and is the only small indy production up against a slew of established outfits too.
Gabrielle Kent, meanwhile, has been shortlisted for no fewer than five awards for ALFIE BLOOM AND THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE to date: The CUMBRIA SPELLBINDING BOOK AWARD, HOUNSLOW S.L.S. JUNIOR BOOK AWARD, STOCKPORT BOOK AWARD, STOCKTON BOOK OF THE YEAR and the WEALD BOOK AWARD.
Over in the world of audio drama, Paul Magrs's independently produced Dr Who spin-off comedy BAKERS END: THE KING OF CATS has been nominated for a BBC AUDIO DRAMA AWARD and is the only small indy production up against a slew of established outfits too.
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Finally, am chuffed to bits that two #TeamBIA writers have been nominated for the 2017 CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL.
Enormous congratulations to Liz Flanagan, whose astonishing debut EDEN SUMMER is one, with the other nod going to Brian Conaghan, whose THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER has earned him a 2nd nomination, to sit alongside his 2015 shortlisting for WHEN MR DOG BITES.... EDEN SUMMER has also been shortlisted for the LEEDS BOOK AWARDS, judged by librarians and pupils from schools across the Leeds area. |
An absolute last word on the awards front for now though is the overwhelmingly ACE and FANTASTIC news that in addition to its CARNEGIE nomination, THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER by Brian Conaghan has also been shortlisted for the COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD.
Honestly could not be a happier agent or any more proud of Brian and the whole of #TeamBIA!
All of which leads me neatly on to....
Honestly could not be a happier agent or any more proud of Brian and the whole of #TeamBIA!
All of which leads me neatly on to....
+ + + NEW DEALS ALERT + + +
In addition to no less than three further new deals in the pipeline, details of which to be confirmed, I am over the moon to announce the following:
TAKEBACK, the new teen tech-thriler from TIMES/CHICKEN HOUSE PRIZE winning author MARTIN GRIFFIN will be published by Chicken House in 2018. Set in the same dark and seamy world of unscrupulous Manchester tech development that Martin established in LIFERS, TAKEBACK features a gang of self styled Robin Hood hacker teens, who bite off more than they can comfortably chew when they "liberate" a startling piece of new technology, with the intention of bringing it to the masses.
Subject to contract, SOPHIE PLOWDEN now has a third instalment in her acclaimed and hilarious JACK DASH series for younger middle grade in the pipeline. Episode two, JACK DASH AND THE SUMMER BLIZZARD, features unseasonal blizzards and a crew of decidedly motley penguins and is scheduled for Spring 2017. The third as yet untitled instalment will introduce us to Betty Crocker, a camel-riding cowboy with a penchant for baked goods. Catnip is to publish.
Last but by no means least, a string of new announcements for PAUL MAGRS. Fans of Paul's will be no stranger to his many books and audio dramas from the Doctor Who-o-sphere. In addition to his award nod for BAKERS END: THE KING OF CATS, above, Paul has now been contracted for a further two audio episodes of BAKERS END, while his Dr Who audio series DEMON QUEST is to be broadcast by BBC Radio 4 Extra this Christmas. Lastly, Paul's first three print books, the North-Eastern British magical realist PHOENIX COURT trilogy, have been acquired by US independent Lethe Press, along with a never before published early manuscript. COULD IT BE MAGIC?, DOES IT SHOW? and MARKED FOR LIFE will be republished from 2017, with the lost novel, FANCY MAN to follow.
TAKEBACK, the new teen tech-thriler from TIMES/CHICKEN HOUSE PRIZE winning author MARTIN GRIFFIN will be published by Chicken House in 2018. Set in the same dark and seamy world of unscrupulous Manchester tech development that Martin established in LIFERS, TAKEBACK features a gang of self styled Robin Hood hacker teens, who bite off more than they can comfortably chew when they "liberate" a startling piece of new technology, with the intention of bringing it to the masses.
Subject to contract, SOPHIE PLOWDEN now has a third instalment in her acclaimed and hilarious JACK DASH series for younger middle grade in the pipeline. Episode two, JACK DASH AND THE SUMMER BLIZZARD, features unseasonal blizzards and a crew of decidedly motley penguins and is scheduled for Spring 2017. The third as yet untitled instalment will introduce us to Betty Crocker, a camel-riding cowboy with a penchant for baked goods. Catnip is to publish.
Last but by no means least, a string of new announcements for PAUL MAGRS. Fans of Paul's will be no stranger to his many books and audio dramas from the Doctor Who-o-sphere. In addition to his award nod for BAKERS END: THE KING OF CATS, above, Paul has now been contracted for a further two audio episodes of BAKERS END, while his Dr Who audio series DEMON QUEST is to be broadcast by BBC Radio 4 Extra this Christmas. Lastly, Paul's first three print books, the North-Eastern British magical realist PHOENIX COURT trilogy, have been acquired by US independent Lethe Press, along with a never before published early manuscript. COULD IT BE MAGIC?, DOES IT SHOW? and MARKED FOR LIFE will be republished from 2017, with the lost novel, FANCY MAN to follow.
THE MARTIAN GIRL by PAUL MAGRS
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HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to Paul Magrs, THE MARTIAN GIRL, part two of the LORA TRILOGY that began with LOST ON MARS, which was listed in The Telegraph's Best of 2015 and The Independent's Best Summer Reads. Here's a smattering of the praise:
"Magrs is part of an exciting new wave of science fiction rising in children's literature" SF Said, author of PHOENIX et al, writing in the Guardian "It's FANTASTIC. It's BRILLIANT... easily my favourite read of the year" Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books blog "Wondrous, strange and satisfying. 4 stars" SFX Magazine "High adventure in a vast and hostile landscape... it's new, strange and very unsettling" Celia Rees, author of WITCH CHILD et al "Magrs writes with such joy and honesty" Russell T Davies |
EDEN SUMMER by LIZ FLANAGAN
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JULY 2016 and a very HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY to Liz Flanagan, whose debut EDEN SUMMER is now out to rave reviews:
“A breathless read” Guardian’s ‘best new children’s books’ round-up “Readers will be hooked by this raw and emotional read” The Sun “A truly gripping plot ... beautiful, emotionally rich writing.” Bookseller “Flanagan has a real ability to write from the heart, frankly and honestly, in a way that teens will love.” Book Trust “A really outstanding debut” Teens on Moon Lane “The perfect fast-paced mysterious book to round off your vacation ... Think ‘Pretty Little Liars’, full of flashbacks, tension, and confusion in the best possible way." United by Pop "A top notch contemporary read... The lush, lyrical quality of [Flanagan's] writing reminded me of Jandy Nelson” The Bookbag “Very compelling” Crime Review “A powerful, gripping debut from a talented new author” Lancashire Evening Post Not a bad start and there's plenty more on Liz's Author Page |
RIDE by LISA GLASS
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JUNE 2016 and a very HAPPY BOOK B'DAY to Lisa Glass. RIDE, finale of the BLUE trilogy is now out...
"Another perfect summer read from Lisa Glass ... had me on the edge of my seat." Tamsyn Murray, An Awfully Big Blog Adventure "If a fun, summery read, full of sand and surfing expertly interlaced with more serious topics is your thing, you will LOVE this ... I recommend the entire trilogy ... Must-reads!" The Mile Long Bookshelf "Real ... heartbreaking ... gripping from the beginning to the end ... beautifully executed" The Write Thing "my absolute favourite series ever and I will very much miss spending summers in Newquay with my adopted family." Eve Harvey, Vulpes Libris |
ALFIE BLOOM AND THE TALISMAN THIEF
by GABRIELLE KENT
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May 2016 HAPPY BOOK B'DAY to Gabrielle Kent, ALFIE BLOOM AND THE TALISMAN THIEF (book 2) is now out...
"Has a little of everything, time-travel, magic, mystery and an enigmatic butler! It is a satisfying story of good versus evil and little versus big that will resonate with young readers. The characters are affable and adventurous ... well-paced story-telling will keep you hooked to the end." Booktrust "Kent has crafted a finely woven mash-up of some of the best known children’s literature and created her own excellent adventure... If I was a child again, I’d hope for at least ten in the series... Fabulously promising" Minerva Reads Book Blog "a superb sequel, and I am sure it will be making an appearance in my favourite books of 2016." The Book Zone 4 Boys |
APRIL 2016 AND IT'S A 3 BOOK B'DAY MONTH....
THE SIGN OF ONE by EUGENE LAMBERT
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With a 'ONE' in the title, it seems churlish not to kick off with Eugene Lambert's sci-fi dystopian debut THE SIGN OF ONE. Happy Book B'Day to Eugene...
"A thrilling YA sci-fi adventure reminiscent of Hunger Games and Star Wars, The Sign of One is a fantastic page-turner with great characters in Kyle and Sky." Booktrust "Pitch-perfect ... The best Young Adult read so far this year" Mr Ripley's Enchanted books "Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just make a really, really good wheel ... [Lambert] does it with style, wit, pace and a strong central premise ... wonderfully gruesome in places and benefits from scarred, laconic and selfish but ultimately likeable heroes. 4 stars" SFX Magazine "Definitely more than just another YA dystopia/sci-fi read" Scene Sisters |
LIFERS by M.A. GRIFFIN
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Second in the trio, Happy Book B'Day to Times/Chicken House Prize winner M.A. Griffin whose first novel for teen readers, Lifers, is out now and will appeal to fans of The Maze Runner. Writing as Fletcher Moss, M.A. Griffin is also author of the multi-award-winning The Poison Boy.
"Set in an entirely imaginable future world, this is a tense and tautly written dystopian sci-fi page-turner. The in-the-moment action feels like watching a thriller through the eyes of the hero, and the theme of young people fighting corrupt politicians is explored with style and poise." LoveReading4Kids APRIL 2016 BOOK OF THE MONTH "Seriously well plotted ... a high octane, adrenaline-fuelled ride that you will not be able to put down ... Another cracking read" Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books "A dark and edgy story that is guaranteed to have wide appeal" Author Allsorts |
THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER
by BRIAN CONAGHAN
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AND, last but by no means least, Happy Book B'day to Brian Conaghan, whose eagerly anticipated follow-up to the Carnegie shortlisted When Mr Dog Bites is also out now.
"Establishes [Conaghan] as a major talent. It's incredibly powerful and thought-provoking ... and poses some challenging moral questions. It's also brilliantly funny, with characters you will really root for." The Bookseller "Utterly compelling... At times uncomfortable and heart breaking, it is also a celebration of friendship of difference and how humans can survive. I utterly recommend this novel." Literature Works "Humanity and humour thread through the challenging storyline from the first page to the very last ... It's a triumph of a read. And an original one, too. We loved it." The Bookbag "Funny, tender, surprising and uplifting ... Hugely entertaining and highly original." LoveReading4Kids |
+ + 2016 BOOK FAIR PREVIEW + +
Here's a brief rundown of highlights on which we hold rights for the 2016 Bologna & London Book Fairs:
CLAIRE McFALL'S FERRYMAN (UK: Templar Fiction, winner of the Scottish Book Award for YA) has now sold almost HALF A MILLION copies in China and continues to sell apace, remaining in the Chinese Top 10 overall fiction charts since publication there by Beijing White Horse in the summer of 2015, and coming second in the chart only to THE KITE RUNNER among general fiction in translation in that period. A Chinese language feature animation is also underway, as well as a fully illustrated Hardback edition. Two sequels to FERRYMAN are also planned. Already named one of the most influential writers of teen fiction in Scotland, Claire has also since been named one of the Top 10 most influential writers in China for 2015 and will be embarking on a publicity tour of China to support these sales. Rights are available too on her other published work BOMBMAKER and BLACK CAIRN POINT.
STEFAN MOHAMED'S critically acclaimed and snappy, coming of age superhero debut BITTER SIXTEEN (UK: Salt Publishing) won a Dylan Thomas Prize for unpublished fiction and was named a Times Children’s Book of the Week “Never mind writing about super powers, Stefan Mohamed clearly has them himself” Alex O’Connell, Times. The second part of the BITTER SIXTEEN trilogy, ACE OF SPIDERS is also now out: "A sequel of The Empire Strikes Back proportions ... Mohamed has created another page turner jam packed with action, imagination, intelligence, emotion, humour, and a talking dog! I couldn't ask for more out of a book... 5 Stars" The Bookbag
ELOISE WILLIAMS' upper middle grade debut GASLIGHT (UK: Firefly Press, 2017) is a darkly atmospheric RUBY IN THE SMOKE style mystery, rich in voice and character and set in the dark, morbid, death-obsessed world of the grifters and scammers of the Music Halls of late Victorian Cardiff.
Also in middle grade, CHLOE DAYKIN'S quirky, literary, strange and uplifting debut FISH BOY (UK: Faber, 2017) has already garnered plenty of attention, with David “SKELLIG” Almond calling it “distinctive, appealing, really well written, moving, funny, strange… the real thing”. Italian rights have gone and interest remains high in other territories.
SOPHIE PLOWDEN'S anarchic and hilarious JACK DASH & THE MAGIC FEATHER (UK: Catnip, 2015) - "Funny with a capital 'F' - a crazy, clever carnival ride of a story" Mo O'Hara - promises laughs a plenty for the 7+ market, with a sequel JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD, coming jam-packed with mischievous penguins in summer 2016.
CLAIRE McFALL'S FERRYMAN (UK: Templar Fiction, winner of the Scottish Book Award for YA) has now sold almost HALF A MILLION copies in China and continues to sell apace, remaining in the Chinese Top 10 overall fiction charts since publication there by Beijing White Horse in the summer of 2015, and coming second in the chart only to THE KITE RUNNER among general fiction in translation in that period. A Chinese language feature animation is also underway, as well as a fully illustrated Hardback edition. Two sequels to FERRYMAN are also planned. Already named one of the most influential writers of teen fiction in Scotland, Claire has also since been named one of the Top 10 most influential writers in China for 2015 and will be embarking on a publicity tour of China to support these sales. Rights are available too on her other published work BOMBMAKER and BLACK CAIRN POINT.
STEFAN MOHAMED'S critically acclaimed and snappy, coming of age superhero debut BITTER SIXTEEN (UK: Salt Publishing) won a Dylan Thomas Prize for unpublished fiction and was named a Times Children’s Book of the Week “Never mind writing about super powers, Stefan Mohamed clearly has them himself” Alex O’Connell, Times. The second part of the BITTER SIXTEEN trilogy, ACE OF SPIDERS is also now out: "A sequel of The Empire Strikes Back proportions ... Mohamed has created another page turner jam packed with action, imagination, intelligence, emotion, humour, and a talking dog! I couldn't ask for more out of a book... 5 Stars" The Bookbag
ELOISE WILLIAMS' upper middle grade debut GASLIGHT (UK: Firefly Press, 2017) is a darkly atmospheric RUBY IN THE SMOKE style mystery, rich in voice and character and set in the dark, morbid, death-obsessed world of the grifters and scammers of the Music Halls of late Victorian Cardiff.
Also in middle grade, CHLOE DAYKIN'S quirky, literary, strange and uplifting debut FISH BOY (UK: Faber, 2017) has already garnered plenty of attention, with David “SKELLIG” Almond calling it “distinctive, appealing, really well written, moving, funny, strange… the real thing”. Italian rights have gone and interest remains high in other territories.
SOPHIE PLOWDEN'S anarchic and hilarious JACK DASH & THE MAGIC FEATHER (UK: Catnip, 2015) - "Funny with a capital 'F' - a crazy, clever carnival ride of a story" Mo O'Hara - promises laughs a plenty for the 7+ market, with a sequel JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD, coming jam-packed with mischievous penguins in summer 2016.
+ NEW DEALS ALERT + NEW DEALS ALERT +
OVER THE MOON to announce a pair of cracking new deals ahead of this year's Book Fair mania:
First off, a stunning and suspenseful YA debut: World Rights (exc Italy) in Liz Flanagan's EDEN SUMMER have gone to David Fickling Books in a spectacular pre-empt, with De Agostini swooping in from the wings to scoop Italian rights too. Since acquisition EDEN SUMMER has also gone to Scholastic Inc in the US and Aladin in Germany. David Fickling said:
“Liz is a special and rare new voice, she captures the very essence of what it is to be a teenager. The heartache, the trauma, the lies and the love between friends. This book will make you cry, but it will also remind you that for every tear in life there are some of the greatest moments of joy.”
This sentiment has also been echoed by YA legend and multiple Carnegie Medal winner Melvin Burgess, who called EDEN SUMMER "A powerful exploration of the extraordinary power of friendship, both truthful and intense. It's that rare and wonderful thing, a thriller of the heart, written from the heart, and it hits home straight to the heart." while Carnegie-shortlisted, up and coming YA star Brian Conaghan called this tautly plotted and suspenseful debut "Dazzling, gripping, leaves you gasping for air."
EDEN SUMMER publishes in the UK in hardback this summer and rights are held by David Fickling Books
Secondly, subject to contract, Eloise Williams' second novel GASLIGHT, a dark and richly atmospheric Upper Middle Grade mystery, has gone to Firefly Press in a UKC deal. A PENNY DREADFUL for the 10+ market, GASLIGHT is set in the murky world of the Victorian Music Hall and follows Nansi, a feisty young foundling desperately in search of her missing mother, who becomes embroiled in a scam to swindle the newly bereaved, playing on the late Victorian obsession with death, mourning, mediums and making contact with the afterlife. Janet Thomas, acquiring editor for Firefly had this to say:
"We are so excited to have a new book from Eloise. GASLIGHT, a gripping gothic middle grade mystery, is full of Eloise’s signature pace and beautiful writing. Nansi is an unforgettable heroine, real, heroic and at times heart-breaking. Eloise has an extraordinary gift for voice and character, and that is clear in the vivid world she creates here, without ever losing the drive of the thriller for a moment. I can’t wait to get this book to readers!"
Eloise's debut novel for 7+, ELEN'S ISLAND, was published by Firefly in 2015 to a very warm reception and was picked up by Booktrust at Number 6 in their annual advent calendar of the best kids books of 2015.
First off, a stunning and suspenseful YA debut: World Rights (exc Italy) in Liz Flanagan's EDEN SUMMER have gone to David Fickling Books in a spectacular pre-empt, with De Agostini swooping in from the wings to scoop Italian rights too. Since acquisition EDEN SUMMER has also gone to Scholastic Inc in the US and Aladin in Germany. David Fickling said:
“Liz is a special and rare new voice, she captures the very essence of what it is to be a teenager. The heartache, the trauma, the lies and the love between friends. This book will make you cry, but it will also remind you that for every tear in life there are some of the greatest moments of joy.”
This sentiment has also been echoed by YA legend and multiple Carnegie Medal winner Melvin Burgess, who called EDEN SUMMER "A powerful exploration of the extraordinary power of friendship, both truthful and intense. It's that rare and wonderful thing, a thriller of the heart, written from the heart, and it hits home straight to the heart." while Carnegie-shortlisted, up and coming YA star Brian Conaghan called this tautly plotted and suspenseful debut "Dazzling, gripping, leaves you gasping for air."
EDEN SUMMER publishes in the UK in hardback this summer and rights are held by David Fickling Books
Secondly, subject to contract, Eloise Williams' second novel GASLIGHT, a dark and richly atmospheric Upper Middle Grade mystery, has gone to Firefly Press in a UKC deal. A PENNY DREADFUL for the 10+ market, GASLIGHT is set in the murky world of the Victorian Music Hall and follows Nansi, a feisty young foundling desperately in search of her missing mother, who becomes embroiled in a scam to swindle the newly bereaved, playing on the late Victorian obsession with death, mourning, mediums and making contact with the afterlife. Janet Thomas, acquiring editor for Firefly had this to say:
"We are so excited to have a new book from Eloise. GASLIGHT, a gripping gothic middle grade mystery, is full of Eloise’s signature pace and beautiful writing. Nansi is an unforgettable heroine, real, heroic and at times heart-breaking. Eloise has an extraordinary gift for voice and character, and that is clear in the vivid world she creates here, without ever losing the drive of the thriller for a moment. I can’t wait to get this book to readers!"
Eloise's debut novel for 7+, ELEN'S ISLAND, was published by Firefly in 2015 to a very warm reception and was picked up by Booktrust at Number 6 in their annual advent calendar of the best kids books of 2015.
ACE OF SPIDERS by STEFAN MOHAMED
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March 2016 and it's a Happy Book B'day too to Stefan Mohamed, with ACE OF SPIDERS, sequel to the critical smash hit BITTER SIXTEEN out now... And already going down a STORM. To celebrate, there's a whole new series jacket design. ACE OF SPIDERS is pictured here, and you can see the all new BITTER SIXTEEN on Stefan's client page, together with further reviews:
"A sequel of The Empire Strikes Back proportions – expanding upon everything that was brilliant about the first book, and taking things into a dark direction that makes for compelling reading ... The humour and optimism remains, but the stakes are upped hugely, with villains on every corner and, yet again, a plot that soars like an Indie superhero blockbuster, defying expectations and entertaining on every single page. Stanly is not just the hero we need, he's the one we deserve. The writing is brilliant, the characters vivid, and this series continues to be a definite one to watch, given that Mohamed has created another page turner jam packed with action, imagination, intelligence, emotion, humour, and a talking dog! I couldn't ask for more out of a book... 5 Stars" Luke Marlowe, The Bookbag |
RED WITCH by ANNA McKERROW
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March 2016 - and it's the first Happy book Birthday of the month to Anna McKerrow, whose RED WITCH, sequel to CROW MOON, is out today and already to STELLAR critical acclaim...
"Deadly, sexy, and utterly spellbinding" Melinda Salisbury "If you want to know how real witches work, summon your own goddess and read Red Witch!" CJ Daugherty "Clever, gripping, but above all a terrifying cautionary tale for our times." Louise O'Neill "A rare achievement in combining politics, history, entertainment, and mass appeal. Likely to captivate beyond its Young Adult target audience, this compelling book series is becoming more essential with each episode." Huffington Post And that's just a small selection - for more, check out Anna's client page |
DEEP WATER on the BRANFORD BOASE LONGLIST
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February 2016 - Over the moon to see Lu Hersey's DEEP WATER on the Branford Boase longlist, alongside her editor, Sarah Stewart, at Usborne. The Branford Boase recognises author and editor of the most outstanding debut of the year and, while it's a very strong list, it's all the stronger for featuring Lu's name up there among such promising new talent.
This is Lu's third prize nod - as well as winning the MsLexia Children's Novel Award, DEEP WATER has been shortlisted for the 22nd annual Wirral Paperback of the Year award, voted by teen readers at a team of schools across the Wirral. DEEP WATER was also singled out in the Guardian as SF Said's children's debut of the year for 2015. ‘Like Helen Dunmore’s Ingo series, Hersey’s debut shimmers with Celtic fairy tales, marine marvels, creepy Cornish fishing villages and a fabulous granny.’ New Statesman ‘If you like Alan Garner's novels, you'll enjoy DEEP WATER just as much’ Bastian Balthasar Books |
RIVER OF INK: GENESIS by Helen Dennis
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January 2016 and it's a very Happy Book Birthday to Helen Dennis, whose thrilling new series River of Ink kicks off with Genesis, out now and already picking up some excellent reviews:
"A fast-paced adventure with some satisfyingly nasty villains and lots of symbols and clues to follow along its twisting, turning path ... I think this series will do well, especially among fans of mystery thrillers." Jill Murphy, The Bookbag "An extraordinary twist ... high-speed chases, snappy dialogue and elaborate symbolism ... Promises to be an exciting series" Suzi Feay, Financial Times "There was no way I wasn't going to love this book" Darren Hartwell, Bookzone for Boys Exciting stuff! For more information, check out Helen's author page here |
2015 BIA BOOKS IN REVIEW
December 2015 - So the Christmas round-ups are upon us and am thrilled to see so many BIA authors singled out in papers, online 'zines and blogs as among the very best of the best.
Writing in The Guardian, SF Said picked out Anna McKerrow's CROW MOON and Stefan Mohamed's BITTER SIXTEEN among his books of the year, while Lu Hersey's DEEP WATER - "a mythic and magical tale that draws on ancient folklore but is utterly contemporary" - took the crown.
The Scotsman singled out Scottish Book Award winner (and Chinese Bestseller) Claire McFall as "one of the most fearless voices for YA fiction in Scotland" for her BLACK CAIRN POINT, which they described as "expertly handled ... never less than gripping, constantly surprising, and with a truly shocking finale". Across the Irish Sea, The Irish Times singled out Paul Magrs' LOST ON MARS among their cream of the crop for 2015, while up in t'internet-land, Den of Geek included BITTER SIXTEEN by Stefan Mohamed among theirs.
The blogs were no less supportive, with AIR by Lisa Glass singled out by blogs like Behind on Books in their Top 10 of 2015, while YA Blogger of the Year Queen of Contemporary gave her best of the best of 2015 titles to Anna McKerrow for CROW MOON, describing it as "my favourite UKYA book of the year, perhaps my favourite book of the year, full stop." Go Team BIA!
Writing in The Guardian, SF Said picked out Anna McKerrow's CROW MOON and Stefan Mohamed's BITTER SIXTEEN among his books of the year, while Lu Hersey's DEEP WATER - "a mythic and magical tale that draws on ancient folklore but is utterly contemporary" - took the crown.
The Scotsman singled out Scottish Book Award winner (and Chinese Bestseller) Claire McFall as "one of the most fearless voices for YA fiction in Scotland" for her BLACK CAIRN POINT, which they described as "expertly handled ... never less than gripping, constantly surprising, and with a truly shocking finale". Across the Irish Sea, The Irish Times singled out Paul Magrs' LOST ON MARS among their cream of the crop for 2015, while up in t'internet-land, Den of Geek included BITTER SIXTEEN by Stefan Mohamed among theirs.
The blogs were no less supportive, with AIR by Lisa Glass singled out by blogs like Behind on Books in their Top 10 of 2015, while YA Blogger of the Year Queen of Contemporary gave her best of the best of 2015 titles to Anna McKerrow for CROW MOON, describing it as "my favourite UKYA book of the year, perhaps my favourite book of the year, full stop." Go Team BIA!
+ NEW DEAL ALERT + NEW DEAL ALERT +
We are delighted to announce Bloomsbury's acquisition of a powerful collaboration between two of its most acclaimed authors, Brian Conaghan and Sarah Crossan. We Come Apart is dark, gritty and completely original.
Rebecca McNally, Publishing Director and Brian’s editor, acquired world rights for the title from Ben Illis of the Ben Illis Agency and Julia Churchill of AM Heath. We Come Apart will publish globally and simultaneously in hardback in early 2017. Commenting on the deal Zoe Griffiths, Senior Commissioning Editor and Sarah’s editor, said, “When we introduced Brian and Sarah at a dinner to celebrate their joint Carnegie shortlisting (for When Mr Dog Bites and Apple and Rain respectively) we had no idea it would result in this outstanding novel. We couldn’t be more thrilled to publish We Come Apart and are looking forward to sharing Brian and Sarah’s unrivalled talent throughout the world”.
Brian Conaghan added, “To be working and collaborating with an immense talent like Sarah Crossan is something that excites me enormously. In Sarah's own work she makes every single word matter and every quiet moment significant.”
Sarah Crossan said, “We Come Apart is my first collaborative project. I've never been interested in working with another writer before, but when Brian suggested we co-write a book, I jumped at the chance as I'm such a fan of his writing! Brian writes with warmth and his use of language is original and funny. The process itself was without doubt the best writing experience I've ever had though it was suitably intense, sending chapters back and forth all day long for weeks.”
We Come Apart tells the story of Nicu and Jess whose paths cross when they meet on probation. Though their lives are very different, both are difficult. Nicu has emigrated from Romania and is struggling to find his place in Britain. Jess’s home life is overshadowed by violence. But they find light in each other and hope. This stunning novel explores their stories as an incredibly moving friendship and romance grows between them.
Excited much?
Rebecca McNally, Publishing Director and Brian’s editor, acquired world rights for the title from Ben Illis of the Ben Illis Agency and Julia Churchill of AM Heath. We Come Apart will publish globally and simultaneously in hardback in early 2017. Commenting on the deal Zoe Griffiths, Senior Commissioning Editor and Sarah’s editor, said, “When we introduced Brian and Sarah at a dinner to celebrate their joint Carnegie shortlisting (for When Mr Dog Bites and Apple and Rain respectively) we had no idea it would result in this outstanding novel. We couldn’t be more thrilled to publish We Come Apart and are looking forward to sharing Brian and Sarah’s unrivalled talent throughout the world”.
Brian Conaghan added, “To be working and collaborating with an immense talent like Sarah Crossan is something that excites me enormously. In Sarah's own work she makes every single word matter and every quiet moment significant.”
Sarah Crossan said, “We Come Apart is my first collaborative project. I've never been interested in working with another writer before, but when Brian suggested we co-write a book, I jumped at the chance as I'm such a fan of his writing! Brian writes with warmth and his use of language is original and funny. The process itself was without doubt the best writing experience I've ever had though it was suitably intense, sending chapters back and forth all day long for weeks.”
We Come Apart tells the story of Nicu and Jess whose paths cross when they meet on probation. Though their lives are very different, both are difficult. Nicu has emigrated from Romania and is struggling to find his place in Britain. Jess’s home life is overshadowed by violence. But they find light in each other and hope. This stunning novel explores their stories as an incredibly moving friendship and romance grows between them.
Excited much?
JACK DASH & THE MAGIC FEATHER by Sophie Plowden
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Sept 2015 and a VERY HAPPY BOOK B'DAY to Sophie Plowden - Jack Dash & The Magic Feather is out now! Here's some early (ACE) praise:
"Scabby earlobes! This book is AMAZING. Don't be a scaredy sock and read it NOW!" Opi, aged 10 "Thoroughly entertaining, exciting, funny and imaginative: Brilliant!" Giles Andreae, author of Billy Bonkers "Original, brilliant and as funny as a pig on stilts! " Matt Brown, author of Compton Valance "Bonkers, brilliant and feather-tastic! You had me at 'Oi! Dozy Knickers!'" Mo O'Hara, author of My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish "There's mayhem. There's madness. There's even a pet sea lion!" Ruth Fitzgerald, author of Emily Sparkes |
MIRROR CHRONICLES 2: CIRCLES OF STONE
by Ian Johnstone
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August 2015 and CIRCLES OF STONE is proving a massive hit with reviewers. Here are a couple of the best to whet your appetite:
“Thrilling, beautifully written…a huge, exciting book, full of engrossing ideas about freedom, justice and relationships, and many a young reader will love the chance to really delve deeply into such a well-constructed, highly original fantasy.” The Bookbag "Vividly imagined…skilfully crafted…masterly…a book to excite and engage children, but also one to make them think; to imagine but also to reflect. The Mirror Chronicles now needs only a completion which maintains the qualities demonstrated in its first two parts for the whole to become one of the great works of children’s fiction.” Magic Fiction Since Potter Have you entered the mirror.....? www.ianjohnstone.com |
BLACK CAIRN POINT by Claire McFall
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August 2015 and it's a very happy book birthday to Scottish Book Award winning author Claire McFall, whose third book, the utterly chilling BLACK CAIRN POINT, is out now from Hot Key Books... Here's what the bloggers and booktubers are saying:
"A roller coaster of lies, betrayal, dark beliefs and suspicion. I can not believe what I have just read! I have had chills down my spine whilst reading this novel. Claire is a master at creating atmosphere that leaks off the page and seeps into the world of the reader during the reading experience... 5 STARS" Booktuber Benjamin of Tomes "Claire's fantastically atmospheric writing and setting have you on the edge of your seat... Will the hideous truth of what happened ever come to light? And Is Heather safe now?" Bookish Outsider Blog "Dark, creepy, but utterly addicting; this has been my favourite read of the summer so far!" Heather Reviews Blog |
DEEP WATER by Lu Hersey
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July 2015 and the praise is stacking up for DEEP WATER:
"Excellent" Independent, children's books of the summer "Weaves legend and reality, good and evil, belief and suspicion with such seductive charm. Deep Water speaks loudly of tolerance, elemental power and the importance of learning lessons from our ancestors… only by getting close to nature and understanding the past, can we accept those sometimes unexplained events in our present. An original, captivating and thought-provoking debut…" Lancashire Evening Post "A great story, full of magic and myth, and very well told. The setting with its ancient villages and windswept beaches is wonderfully atmospheric and magic oozes from the pages. Perfect summer holiday reading." lovereading4kids "Will grip you from the very first page... Outstanding" Chouett Blog "Assured and original" Never Imitate Blog |
THE MIRROR CHRONICLES: CIRCLES OF STONE
by Ian Johnstone
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July 2015 and praise is already coming in for Ian Johnstone's highly anticipated second book of the Mirror Chronicles: Circles of Stone, sequel to The Bell Between Worlds.
LoveReading4Kids has singled out Circles of Stone as a 9+ summer pick, with a stellar review, comparing Ian to TOLKIEN and GARTH NIX!! Excellent news and a very fair comparison to draw too! "The epic fantasy saga that began with The Bell Between the Worlds is continued in this exciting new episode. Young Sylas Tate was drawn into the Other on his mother’s death, a strange parallel world that is both very like our own, and totally different. He and a girl called Naeo discovered they have special powers, which brought them up against the dark lord Thoth. Now the stakes are really raised as Thoth’s army threatens both worlds. This is classic fantasy stuff, really well done, and fans of Tolkien or Garth Nix will find much to love in these ambitious adventure stories." |
ALFIE BLOOM & THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE by Gabrielle Kent
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July 2015 and ALFIE is going down a STORM!
"Has a little of everything, time-travel, magic, mystery and an enigmatic butler! It is a satisfying story of good versus evil and little versus big that will resonate with young readers. The characters are affable and adventurous ... well-paced story-telling will keep you hooked to the end." Booktrust "One of the most readable novels I’ve read in some time, Gabrielle Kent has crafted a finely woven mash-up of some of the best known children’s literature and created her own excellent adventure... If I was a child again, I’d hope for at least ten in the series... Fabulously promising" Minerva Reads Book Blog "BRILLIANT! So much so I actually exclaimed ‘Brilliant’ out loud... Enticing and well-written... Lots of danger, dark and twisted" Sue & Pakka's Book Blog |
DEEP WATER by Lu Hersey
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July 2015 and it's another double book birthday for #TeamBIA. Massive congratulations to Lu Hersey, whose award-winning debut Deep Water is published today by Usborne. Deep Water won the MsLexia Children's Novel Prize and is already garnering some serious acclaim from other quarters:
“Outstanding… I raced through it” Malorie Blackman "Excellent" Independent "Such an accomplished, tightly-shaped book" Julia Eccleshare "A lovely, mythical quality" Elen Caldecott "Outstanding and lyrical writing" Julia Green Lu (and her daughter Cherry Collard) have also made a haunting and atmospheric book trailer for Deep Water, below: |
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THE MIRROR CHRONICLES: CIRCLES OF STONE
by Ian Johnstone
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July 2015 and a VERY Happy Book Birthday too to Ian Johnstone, with Sylas continuing in his quest to rescue his mother (and save the world) in the second instalment of the thrilling Mirror Chronicles: Circles of Stone
Here's some praise for The Mirror Chronicles: “Effortless... elaborate... rich in both magic and fantasy... capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Chronicles of Narnia and His Dark Materials” The Bookseller We Love This Book “This book... should certainly see Johnstone's name in the fantasy hall of fame... An absolute joy to read... Fantastically exciting... Breathtaking... Quite simply, possibly the best book that I have or will read this year" Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books “Not since Harry Potter have I devoured a fantasy world as much.” Readaraptor And how about that jacket? Magic!! |
ALFIE BLOOM & THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE by Gabrielle Kent
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June 2015 and it's a DOUBLE book birthday for #TeamBIA this month, so huge congratulations to Gabrielle Kent, whose debut magical adventure ALFIE BLOOM & THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE is out now....
Hexbridge Castle is the first in a series of Alfie Bloom adventures about a boy, Alfie, who inherits a castle filled with wonders and an incredible magical destiny. Alfie Bloom publishes this Autumn - or Fall, if you prefer - in the US, as well as in French and German and is also causing quite a storm with UK retailers. Hardly surprising, as it's ACE! and LOOK at that INCREDIBLE jacket! Sadly, a jpeg doesn't do it justice and it needs to be seen in all its shiny, holographic glory to really appreciate what a thing of beauty it is. When not writing, Gabrielle is officially one of the UK's most influential women in the gaming industry, so expect lots of exciting spin off games and apps, for more on which, you can check out her website www.gabriellekent.com or follow her on Twitter - @GabrielleKent |
AIR by Lisa Glass
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June 2015 ... and a VERY Happy Book Birthday too to Lisa Glass, whose AIR, sequel to BLUE is also out now....
AIR sees the continuation of Iris and Zeke's romance as they embark on their first pro-surf circuit together and the action takes place in Miami. In other news, BLUER THAN THE SKY, the movie adaptation of BLUE, is steaming ahead and is set to begin filming in Newquay in summer 2015. Some of the key cast is now attached, and reads like a who's who of up and coming acting talent from BOTH sides of the Atlantic. The big question remains though: WHO WILL PLAY ZEKE AND IRIS?? Well, there are some BIG names in the mix just now and we hope to be able to announce them very, VERY soon... Exciting times! For more info, check www.lisaglass.co.uk or Twitter - @TheSeaSection |
CROW MOON by Anna McKerrow
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May 2015 and there's a LOT more love for CROW MOON out there:
"This Greenworld is fully realised and utterly believable ... I was thrilled by the cunning use of witchcraft and folklore, enough to feel real, yet so sparing and wrapped up in the adventure to intrigue." Serendipity Reviews "If Crow Moon is anything to go by then the literary world needs to be ready because the UK has something unique ... So palpable it is almost real. [McKerrow] has made the world of magic and fantasy accessible" Chouett "Unique and just so wonderful ... I strongly recommend this book" Reading Fan Girl "I devoured it in hours ... and adored all of the characters ... It’s an incredibly diverse novel – both racially and religiously. Crow Moon challenges stereotypes ... and cultural ideas of witches and paganism." Queen of Contemporary |
BITTER SIXTEEN by Stefan Mohamed
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So BITTER SIXTEEN is causing quite the storm. Here are the first REVIEWS, with a TRAILER and SLIDESHOW below (whoop!) and more on Stef's author page...
CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK, TIMES, SAT 25TH APRIL "Highly original... clever and funny... I didn't think the superheroes genre had anywhere left to go. Mohamed convinces otherwise. Daryl and Stanly have one of the greatest buddy relationships I can recall - the rapid fire dialogue between them enviable in its witty ease." Alex O'Connell, Times "Manages to conjure up the relatable thrill of early Spiderman, grounds it in rural Wales, throws in a talking dog, a winding plot and fantastic twists, and peppers little geeky references throughout the novel that both fit with the main character's interests, and made this reviewer laugh out loud... An absolute page turner... A fantastic start to a trilogy, and a dazzling introduction for a great new character." Bookbag, 5 stars |
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"If you know your Calrissian from your Kobayashi, then BITTER SIXTEEN is the most fun you can have in the superhero genre..."
Den of Geek "A great accomplishment. Entertaining, fast-paced and genuinely hilarious, this is a fantastic debut ... and hopefully is only the start of what will be a hugely successful writing career for Mohamed." We Love This Book |
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"An engaging, funny and heartwarming coming of age story that took tried-and-true tropes in new directions ... Add in the bestest side-kick ever—a talking beagle named Daryl—and you have a winning combination."
Books, Bones & Buffy, 4.5 stars "This sparky debut puts the comic book origin story through the pop-cultural blender ... Zippy prose keeps the story barrelling along, the genre references come thick and fast (even the dog a Yoda impression does) and, in Stanly, Mohamed has created a hero you'll really root for. A flying start." SFX Magazine, 4 Stars |
+ NEW DEALS ALERT + NEW DEALS ALERT +
Utterly, totally and completely over the blimmin' MOON to announce a pair of smashing deals at the Bologna Children's Book Fair:
Chloe Daykin's magnificent FISH BOY sold in an impassioned auction on Bologna-eve in a two book deal with World English Rights to Leah Thaxton at Faber.
Here's what Carnegie Medal, Smarties Prize, Whitbread AND Michael L Printz Award-winning author and all-round kid-lit legend David Almond had to say about FISH BOY:
“I opened this and didn't stop reading until I'd read it all. Distinctive, appealing, really well written, moving, funny, with a great voice and deftly-drawn characters. Congratulations. This is the real thing.”
David Almond
Leah Thaxton, Children’s Publisher at Faber, said: ‘FISH BOY is SENSATIONAL! I had goosebumps the moment I began reading - the voice is that distinct, the vision that confident. This is the kind of writing one dreams of publishing. Chloe has a dazzling career ahead of her and with the right nurturing and careful cultivation FISH BOY could be a prizewinner.’
Chloe Daykin really is a rare and special find: a mine of astonishing stories, told with the lightest of touches, she is also quite the loveliest and most down to earth author imaginable. FISH BOY is one of the most stand-out pieces of middle-grade fiction I have ever had the good fortune to read, let alone represent. Told in Billy Shiel’s unique and quirky voice, FISH BOY is poignant, funny, desperately moving and like nothing else you will have ever read. FISH BOY will make an enormous splash in children’s publishing world-wide and as the ripples subside Chloe is assured to take her place alongside David Almond, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Louis Sachar, among the acknowledged greats of the form.
For more on Chloe, head over to the clients page.
ALSO, as if that wasn't good news enough, Bloomsbury has acquired two new titles by the CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Brian Conaghan. Rebecca McNally in the UK and Cindy Loh in the US acquired world rights in the as yet untitled new books in a significant deal.
Rebecca McNally, Bloomsbury Children’s Books Editor-in-Chief, said of the acquisition: “Brian Conaghan is a dazzling talent and has already made an explosive impact with WHEN MR DOG BITES. The first book on this new contract is going to tackle the subject of mercy killing – with Brian’s customary big-hearted, utterly authentic storytelling.”
We at The BIA are thrilled to see Bloomsbury continue to publish Brian Conaghan with such skill, tact and sensitivity. Brian is an exceptional writer – a true story-teller who is unafraid to explore dark and difficult territory with his characteristic warmth, good humour and heart. These new books will create a storm of interest - and yes, perhaps also more controversy - in one of the most exciting writers in the YA and crossover market publishing today.
Conaghan’s WHEN MR DOG BITES is currently shortlisted for both the CILIP Carnegie Medal and CBI Book of the Year Award. It was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year 2014 and one of The Bookbag’s Top Teen Books of 2014. WHEN MR DOG BITES received great critical acclaim on publication, while also sparking a good deal of controversy with its unflinching portrayal of a teen boy coping with all the trials of growing up with Tourette’s syndrome. Brian’s second book for Bloomsbury THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER publishes globally in hardback in January 2016.
For more on Brian, check out the clients page.....
Chloe Daykin's magnificent FISH BOY sold in an impassioned auction on Bologna-eve in a two book deal with World English Rights to Leah Thaxton at Faber.
Here's what Carnegie Medal, Smarties Prize, Whitbread AND Michael L Printz Award-winning author and all-round kid-lit legend David Almond had to say about FISH BOY:
“I opened this and didn't stop reading until I'd read it all. Distinctive, appealing, really well written, moving, funny, with a great voice and deftly-drawn characters. Congratulations. This is the real thing.”
David Almond
Leah Thaxton, Children’s Publisher at Faber, said: ‘FISH BOY is SENSATIONAL! I had goosebumps the moment I began reading - the voice is that distinct, the vision that confident. This is the kind of writing one dreams of publishing. Chloe has a dazzling career ahead of her and with the right nurturing and careful cultivation FISH BOY could be a prizewinner.’
Chloe Daykin really is a rare and special find: a mine of astonishing stories, told with the lightest of touches, she is also quite the loveliest and most down to earth author imaginable. FISH BOY is one of the most stand-out pieces of middle-grade fiction I have ever had the good fortune to read, let alone represent. Told in Billy Shiel’s unique and quirky voice, FISH BOY is poignant, funny, desperately moving and like nothing else you will have ever read. FISH BOY will make an enormous splash in children’s publishing world-wide and as the ripples subside Chloe is assured to take her place alongside David Almond, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Louis Sachar, among the acknowledged greats of the form.
For more on Chloe, head over to the clients page.
ALSO, as if that wasn't good news enough, Bloomsbury has acquired two new titles by the CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Brian Conaghan. Rebecca McNally in the UK and Cindy Loh in the US acquired world rights in the as yet untitled new books in a significant deal.
Rebecca McNally, Bloomsbury Children’s Books Editor-in-Chief, said of the acquisition: “Brian Conaghan is a dazzling talent and has already made an explosive impact with WHEN MR DOG BITES. The first book on this new contract is going to tackle the subject of mercy killing – with Brian’s customary big-hearted, utterly authentic storytelling.”
We at The BIA are thrilled to see Bloomsbury continue to publish Brian Conaghan with such skill, tact and sensitivity. Brian is an exceptional writer – a true story-teller who is unafraid to explore dark and difficult territory with his characteristic warmth, good humour and heart. These new books will create a storm of interest - and yes, perhaps also more controversy - in one of the most exciting writers in the YA and crossover market publishing today.
Conaghan’s WHEN MR DOG BITES is currently shortlisted for both the CILIP Carnegie Medal and CBI Book of the Year Award. It was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year 2014 and one of The Bookbag’s Top Teen Books of 2014. WHEN MR DOG BITES received great critical acclaim on publication, while also sparking a good deal of controversy with its unflinching portrayal of a teen boy coping with all the trials of growing up with Tourette’s syndrome. Brian’s second book for Bloomsbury THE BOMBS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER publishes globally in hardback in January 2016.
For more on Brian, check out the clients page.....
BITTER SIXTEEN by Stefan Mohamed
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March 2015 - HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO STEFAN MOHAMED!
Winner of a Dylan Thomas Prize, Stefan's debut novel BITTER SIXTEEN, the first in the B16 trilogy, is out today. Here's some rather smashing quotage about this fantastic coming of age superhero novel: "Into what seems to be a very real and familiar world Stefan Mohamed introduces a 16year old super hero and his even more remarkable dog. All kinds of crazy amorous and criminal adventures ensue but our author's vivid imagination, story-telling power, humour and mastery of punchy dialogue ensure that we eagerly hang on throughout this refreshingly original novel." Professor Peter Stead Chairman of the Dylan Thomas Prize jury "Thoroughly enjoyable, very funny and touching, with a really great central character in Stanly" Justin Kerrigan Director of Human Traffic |
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"Stefan
Mohamed really stands out from the crowd - a delightfully funny,
surreal and original new voice with a great storytelling gift."
Andrew Davies Multi-BAFTA and Emmy award-winning screenwriter " The freshest of the short-listed novels. I raced through it like I was reading a comic book’ Cerys Matthews Frontwoman of Catatonia (shown here, presenting Stefan with his award) |
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WHEN MR DOG BITES by Brian Conaghan has been shortlisted for The 2015 CILIP Carnegie Medal!
And to celebrate this A-MAYONNAIS-ING bit of news, here's a wee slideshow of some of Dylan Mint's gems of wisdom and life advice. Meanwhile, some US students have adapted Mr Dog for the stage - there's a YouTube clip of their innovative version over on Brian's author page... AND here's a link to The Hive to buy yourself a copy (or you could pop to The BIA Shop and have a browse there) - You lucky, LUCKY people! Here's the slideshow:
MASSIVE congratulations to Brian and all at Bloomsbury, as well as to all the other shortlisted authors and illustrators. Here's a link to the full list over on the Telegraph YA Books site.
CROW MOON by Anna McKerrow
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March 2015 - HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO ANNA MCKERROW!
As if March 5th being World Book Day wasn't enough, it also sees publication of Anna McKerrow's stunning debut CROW MOON, first in the Greenworld Trilogy, on the actual date of the very real Crow Moon and to some smashing early acclaim from the bloggers too: "A great slice of Wicca, a coming of age adventure for the teenage audience and beyond ... an author that will blossom into a shining star. Crow Moon is a powerful tale that will probably stay with you forever.... Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books "I’m not entirely sure how I’m going to be able to wait another year to read the sequel! Crow Moon completely blew me away and I’ll be recommending it to absolutely everyone this year. PHENOMENAL! " Queen of Contemporary |
You can follow Anna on Facebook and on Twitter or you could do a lot worse than following her own website. For now, though, here's the official CROW MOON book trailer, with visuals by Cherry Collard @cherryec and a soundtrack from Peter McKerrow.
WHEN MR DOG BITES on The Carnegie Medal long list
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February 2015
And the long lists for both The 2015 CILIP Carnegie Medal and Kate Greenaway Medal (for illustrators) have been announced. Over the moon to see Brian Conaghan's name among such august company - kid lit royalty, such as Meg Rosoff, Patrick Ness, Sally Gardner and Anthony MacGowan; as well as extremely talented newcomers, such as Clare Furniss and Non Pratt. It's an amazing list and I'm sure you'll agree those librarians are going to have a tough judging ahead of them. To celebrate this news, Bloomsbury have come up with an all new YA paperback jacket (pictured). Looks ACE, am sure you'll agree! The shortlist is announced in about a month. ALL extremities crossed for Brian and the rest of his peers and here's a link to the full list on The Telegraph book site. Good Luck Brian! And HUGE congrats to you and all at Bloomsbury Children's Books! |
Commonword Diversity Writing for Children Prize 2014
February 2015
As a rule, we don't normally post about our small but perfectly formed stable of writers who are as yet uncontracted, but am proud as hell to break that rule here!
Two BIA clients: Dale Hannah and Honey Stavonhagen were both on a shortlist of only five writers for the Commonword Diversity Writing for Children Prize 2014 and I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that Dale went on to be crowned winner of the prize, established in 2012 to promote writing by unpublished children’s authors whose work "embraces ethnic diversity either through their own ethnicity and culture and/or in their writing".
Both Dale's and Honey's debut books will be submitted to publishers in the next few weeks. Here's a bit of background on them both:
Dale Hannah's The Multiple Lives of Haroon Patel has been described as "The funniest book about a terminally ill boy you will ever read" and tells the story of Harry Patel, the quarter-Hindu, half-virgin teen who’s just been given a death sentence. Diagnosed with a brain tumour Harry has less than one year to live. It’s time to party and do all the things his parents have denied him. But there’s a problem. Transported to his previous lives Harry’s sent on a journey of discovery. He’s learning all about Karma. The mistakes he’s making are laid out before him, and if he doesn’t put things right soon, when Chitragupta the Hindu god checks his list, he may find in his next life, he’s no longer a vertebrate...
Already a winner of a Northern Writers Award, Harry is also already getting some serious praise:
“A remarkable book... Reincarnation and death in a modern Briton, narrated with a genuine, touching and often funny voice. I've not come across anything quite like it before. Harry Patel is a genuine and complex character. I love the way he copes with his death sentence - sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, always interesting…”
Melvin Burgess
Carnegie Medal and Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-winning author of Junk, Kite, Doing it et al
Honey Stavonhagen's Hope Grayling: Blind Detective is a charming and funny middle grade adventure about a blind mixed race 'tween, Hope, and her younger sister, Faith, who get sucked into a magical mystery as they investigate the disappearance of Obediah, the parrot from the village dentist's office who both girls know is way more than meets the eye. Before long they find themselves drawn into a feud that has been raging for over a thousand earth years between Obediah and his nemesis Salamon. Drawing on Hope’s particular talents, the girls have to outsmart Salamon in his fortress of clouds to protect each other and save their family before their fate follows that of the Dodo. The story, which has rivalry and envy at its core, ends with Hope having to make a life-changing decision about whether or not to take the opportunity to restore her sense of sight.
Two cracking books from two cracking new talents. Ones to watch out for, indeed.
Many congrats to you both!
As a rule, we don't normally post about our small but perfectly formed stable of writers who are as yet uncontracted, but am proud as hell to break that rule here!
Two BIA clients: Dale Hannah and Honey Stavonhagen were both on a shortlist of only five writers for the Commonword Diversity Writing for Children Prize 2014 and I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that Dale went on to be crowned winner of the prize, established in 2012 to promote writing by unpublished children’s authors whose work "embraces ethnic diversity either through their own ethnicity and culture and/or in their writing".
Both Dale's and Honey's debut books will be submitted to publishers in the next few weeks. Here's a bit of background on them both:
Dale Hannah's The Multiple Lives of Haroon Patel has been described as "The funniest book about a terminally ill boy you will ever read" and tells the story of Harry Patel, the quarter-Hindu, half-virgin teen who’s just been given a death sentence. Diagnosed with a brain tumour Harry has less than one year to live. It’s time to party and do all the things his parents have denied him. But there’s a problem. Transported to his previous lives Harry’s sent on a journey of discovery. He’s learning all about Karma. The mistakes he’s making are laid out before him, and if he doesn’t put things right soon, when Chitragupta the Hindu god checks his list, he may find in his next life, he’s no longer a vertebrate...
Already a winner of a Northern Writers Award, Harry is also already getting some serious praise:
“A remarkable book... Reincarnation and death in a modern Briton, narrated with a genuine, touching and often funny voice. I've not come across anything quite like it before. Harry Patel is a genuine and complex character. I love the way he copes with his death sentence - sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, always interesting…”
Melvin Burgess
Carnegie Medal and Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-winning author of Junk, Kite, Doing it et al
Honey Stavonhagen's Hope Grayling: Blind Detective is a charming and funny middle grade adventure about a blind mixed race 'tween, Hope, and her younger sister, Faith, who get sucked into a magical mystery as they investigate the disappearance of Obediah, the parrot from the village dentist's office who both girls know is way more than meets the eye. Before long they find themselves drawn into a feud that has been raging for over a thousand earth years between Obediah and his nemesis Salamon. Drawing on Hope’s particular talents, the girls have to outsmart Salamon in his fortress of clouds to protect each other and save their family before their fate follows that of the Dodo. The story, which has rivalry and envy at its core, ends with Hope having to make a life-changing decision about whether or not to take the opportunity to restore her sense of sight.
Two cracking books from two cracking new talents. Ones to watch out for, indeed.
Many congrats to you both!
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS by Ian Johnstone
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February 2015
Ian Johnstone's magnificent THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS, book one of THE MIRROR CHRONICLES, is out now in paperback, with a stunning new jacket. As if that's not grounds enough for celebration, the final edit of book two, THE CIRCLES OF STONE is complete and is FANTASTIC: every bit as world-changing and epic in scale as you'd expect. But don't take my word for it, read of some of the praise below and then head to The BIA Shop for a copy to see what you've been missing... “Effortless... elaborate... rich in both magic and fantasy... capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Chronicles of Narnia and His Dark Materials” We Love This Book “This book... should certainly see Johnstone's name in the fantasy hall of fame... An absolute joy to read... Fantastically exciting." Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books “Not since Harry Potter have I devoured a fantasy world as much.” Readaraptor |
“Johnstone offers his readers an enormous and richly created world to explore in this elaborately constructed fantasy.” Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading4Kids, BOOKS OF THE YEAR (HB, 2013) & TOP 10 FOR JAN (PB, 2015)
“Engrossing... Dramatic... Highly recommended” The Bookbag
“Magnificently written... Truly wonderful... a little bit of magic & lots of adventure” Lamont Books
“Exciting, disturbing, lyrical, frightening and hugely imaginative, but ultimately warm and deep in its humanity.... certainly the best 'classic' fantasy I have come across so far from the last 14 years”
Magic Fiction Since Potter
“A thrilling adventure, guaranteed to keep readers utterly enthralled” DuBray Books
“A brilliant storyteller... beautiful & evocative... Interesting & complex” The Flutterby Room
“Epic.. A vivid fantasy world.. convincingly created & sustained... danger lurks & plot twists on every page... Will enthrall the 12+ readership” Reading Time, Children's Book Council of Australia
“Engrossing... Dramatic... Highly recommended” The Bookbag
“Magnificently written... Truly wonderful... a little bit of magic & lots of adventure” Lamont Books
“Exciting, disturbing, lyrical, frightening and hugely imaginative, but ultimately warm and deep in its humanity.... certainly the best 'classic' fantasy I have come across so far from the last 14 years”
Magic Fiction Since Potter
“A thrilling adventure, guaranteed to keep readers utterly enthralled” DuBray Books
“A brilliant storyteller... beautiful & evocative... Interesting & complex” The Flutterby Room
“Epic.. A vivid fantasy world.. convincingly created & sustained... danger lurks & plot twists on every page... Will enthrall the 12+ readership” Reading Time, Children's Book Council of Australia
SPOOKED nails its first prize short-listing
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January 2015
THRILLED to announce that SPOOKED, THE HAUNTING OF KIT CONNELLY by Paul Bryers has been shortlisted by the wonderful librarians of Lambeth for the prestigious Lambeth Phoenix Book Award. Here's a link to the announcement on their website and local schoolkids can link through to upload their own reviews. www.phoenixbookaward.org.uk Selected praise for SPOOKED: "An unusual, interesting story full of mysterious twists that will keep you guessing to the end." Primary Times, via lovereading4kids "Paul Bryers is a natural storyteller. The loneliness of a child on the cusp of adolescence is perceptively described... cinematic quality... deft characterization." School Librarian, via lovereading4kids "Hit the perfect note of a good yarn with a mingle of creepy weirdness that makes your insides churn and an original, creative plot with a small twist to add a little extra ‘spice’" Librarian Heaven |
WHEN MR DOG BITES in Bookbag's Top 10 of 2014
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January 2015
So those wondrous peeps at Bookbag have published their list of THE TOP TEEN BOOKS OF 2014 and am over the moon to see Brian Conaghan's name listed among such established greats as David Almond and Marcus Sedgwick, as his wonderful WHEN MR DOG BITES is included on the list. You can see the full list here. In addition to being singled out by Bookbag, WHEN MR DOG BITES also made Waterstone's paperbacks of the year over Christmas 2014, selling like hot cakes across the UK. Well done Brian! Selected praise for MR DOG: "Brave and ambitious" Daily Mail "Surprising and charming" Observer "Funny, moving and inspirational" Sunday Mail “Beautifully observed and hilariously uncomfortable” Guardian "Touching and unforgettable" Daily Express “Energetic, confident and compassionate” Scotland on Sunday |
+ NEW DEAL ALERT + NEW DEAL ALERT +
November 2014
Over the chuffing MOON to announce, subject to contract, that Sophie Plowden's hilarious, fantastically high energy, anarchic debut for 7+, JACK DASH & THE MAGIC FEATHER, and its sequel JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD have gone to Catnip Publishing in a World English Deal.
When Jack finds a golden quill pen in an old desk, he discovers that whatever he draws with it comes to life. He could have anything he likes! (If only he were a little better at drawing). He starts with a toy racing-car, which turns out to be big enough to drive (if only he’d remembered to draw an engine). When infuriating new neighbour Coco McBean starts poking her nose in, he draws a guard dog to keep her out and ends up with Sardina, a sea-lion with a bladder problem. He draws a vat of fish to keep Sardina quiet, but they soon begin to stink the house out and his parents make an emergency appointment with the Pest Controllers. If Jack doesn’t hide the evidence fast, his secret will be discovered. Reluctantly, Jack realises he must enlist Coco’s help...
Acquiring editor Liz Bankes had this to say: "As soon as I read this manuscript and snort-laughed on the train I knew that I was in the hands of a comedy genius. To check that I wasn’t out of my (naturally) ginger mind, I had this verified by consulting the son of one of our sales directors, who read the book in one sitting and absolutely
loved it. This book is one of the funniest I’ve read and has a magic at its heart that will capture the imagination of all the legions of future Jack Dash fans ... Sophie has a long and successful career as a much-loved children’s author ahead of her and I cannot wait for Catnip to work with her as she begins this journey, taking her books out into the world, and offering our ideas, our support and our fierce belief in Sophie and her writing."
JACK DASH & THE MAGIC FEATHER will be Catnip's lead title for September 2015, with JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD to follow in 2016
More on Sophie Plowden on the clients page
Over the chuffing MOON to announce, subject to contract, that Sophie Plowden's hilarious, fantastically high energy, anarchic debut for 7+, JACK DASH & THE MAGIC FEATHER, and its sequel JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD have gone to Catnip Publishing in a World English Deal.
When Jack finds a golden quill pen in an old desk, he discovers that whatever he draws with it comes to life. He could have anything he likes! (If only he were a little better at drawing). He starts with a toy racing-car, which turns out to be big enough to drive (if only he’d remembered to draw an engine). When infuriating new neighbour Coco McBean starts poking her nose in, he draws a guard dog to keep her out and ends up with Sardina, a sea-lion with a bladder problem. He draws a vat of fish to keep Sardina quiet, but they soon begin to stink the house out and his parents make an emergency appointment with the Pest Controllers. If Jack doesn’t hide the evidence fast, his secret will be discovered. Reluctantly, Jack realises he must enlist Coco’s help...
Acquiring editor Liz Bankes had this to say: "As soon as I read this manuscript and snort-laughed on the train I knew that I was in the hands of a comedy genius. To check that I wasn’t out of my (naturally) ginger mind, I had this verified by consulting the son of one of our sales directors, who read the book in one sitting and absolutely
loved it. This book is one of the funniest I’ve read and has a magic at its heart that will capture the imagination of all the legions of future Jack Dash fans ... Sophie has a long and successful career as a much-loved children’s author ahead of her and I cannot wait for Catnip to work with her as she begins this journey, taking her books out into the world, and offering our ideas, our support and our fierce belief in Sophie and her writing."
JACK DASH & THE MAGIC FEATHER will be Catnip's lead title for September 2015, with JACK DASH & THE SUMMER BLIZZARD to follow in 2016
More on Sophie Plowden on the clients page
STUFF by Stefan Mohamed
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November 2014
HAPPY E-BOOK BIRTHDAY TO STEFAN MOHAMED!! Stefan's debut e-publication, the novella STUFF, is now out on the Salt Publishing Modern Dreams list. This book is available as an e-book only from The BIA Shop, but Stefan's 1st novel BITTER SIXTEEN is coming in the Spring. Here's some star-studded pre-pub praise for BITTER SIXTEEN: "Stefan Mohamed really stands out from the crowd - a delightfully funny, surreal and original new voice with a great storytelling gift." Andrew Davies, multi-BAFTA and Emmy award-winning writer "Thoroughly enjoyable, very funny and touching, with a really great central character in Stanly" Justin Kerrigan, director of Human Traffic ‘I raced through it like I was reading a comic book’ Cerys Matthews, frontwoman of Catatonia |
WHEN MR DOG BITES by Brian Conaghan nominated for The Carnegie Medal AND hits the bestseller charts!
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October 2014
The nominations for the 2015 CILIP Carnegie Medal have been released and am thrilled to see Brian Conaghan's name among an astonishingly strong list of writers, both new and established.... AND as if this isn't enough good news to brighten your day: Saturday 18th October: WHEN MR DOG BITES entered the Times/Waterstones paperback fiction bestsellers chart at..... number 7! TOP TEN BESTSELLER?!?! Wow! MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIAN AND ALL AT BLOOMSBURY & WATERSTONES FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN...!! |
+++ RIGHTS DEALS ALERT +++
OVER THE MOON to announce that Gabrielle Kent's ALFIE BLOOM: THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE has sold into German (to Egmont, Germany) AND French (to Michel Lafon, France) in a pair of dramatic and spectacular pre-empts at auction, ahead of the Frankfurt Book Fair!
Go Alfie....! and go Gabrielle!
Go Alfie....! and go Gabrielle!
SECRET BREAKERS 6: CIRCLE OF FIRE by H.L. Dennis
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October 2014
HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO H.L. DENNIS!! It's been a long wait, but it's finally over: The 6th and final instalment of H.L. Dennis's Carnegie Medal-nominated SECRET BREAKERS series is finally here. Can Brodie, Hunter, Tusia and Sheldon finally unlock the truth? Find out in CIRCLE OF FIRE.... "Readers who love to follow clues and solve a mystery will be addicted" Love Reading 4 Kids "I never put this book down, it was utterly gripping" Guardian "... plenty of action and adventure, mixed in with generous dollops of facts and information which will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy having their brains challenged as well as their imaginations." The Bookbag Don't panic, fans: H.L. Dennis's thrilling new series launches early 2016 |
+ NEW DEALS ALERT + NEW DEALS ALERT +
September 2014
Thrilled to bits to be announcing a brace of new deals ahead of The Frankfurt Book Fair:
Gabrielle Kent's ALFIE BLOOM: THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE in three book deal with world rights to Helen Thomas at Scholastic:
Alfie Bloom has everything it takes to be right at the forefront of the middle-grade revolution: a cracking mix of a diverse cast and exciting, inclusive storyline, all set against a quintessential Englishness of cobbled streets, village sweet shops, cakes, castles and two-headed dragons. Alfie also features Artan, a flying bear-skin rug that's just crying out to be voiced by Brian Blessed. 'Alfie's alive!', as Mr Blessed might well say....
Helen Thomas, Acquiring Editor, said “I fell instantly in love with this wonderful, magical story and was completely absorbed throughout. Gabrielle has created a new hero in Alfie Bloom, and a rich, exciting world that readers will want to dive right into and explore.”
Coinciding with publication of the first book will be a new web-based game designed and developed as part of a project with Gabrielle and her gaming students at Teesside University. Readers will be able to journey beyond the story with an interactive experience that will further bring the books to life. Rachel Partridge, Group Marketing Director at Scholastic UK commented, “Gabrielle’s fantastic gaming expertise makes this acquisition particularly exciting. We’re looking forward to developing a unique launch for Gabrielle and this brilliant series.”
more on Gabrielle Kent on the Clients page...
Eugene Lambert's sci-fi thriller THE SIGN OF ONE in three book deal with world rights to Stella Paskins for the Electric Monkey list at Egmont:
On Wrath, a dump-world for human outcasts, identical twins are feared. Only one will grow up human, while the other becomes a condemned monster with ‘twisted’ blood. When sixteen-year-old Kyle realises he’s a Twist, he flees for his life with the help of Sky, a rebel glider pilot.
To survive, they must confront what Kyle is, then find out who he is.
“This is compulsive YA at its very best – perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins, Michael Grant and Sally Green,” commented Stella Paskins, Fiction Publisher, Egmont Publishing, “We are absolutely thrilled to be publishing Eugene Lambert’s THE SIGN OF ONE, which I absolutely loved right from the start. I was immediately drawn in to the setting of this neglected place – a proper badlands surviving the best it can from whatever can be foraged from the land, or scavenged from the leftovers of some more industrial time. I am so excited about this novel. For me, it falls somewhere between Mad Max and Firefly in atmosphere, with the immediacy of Hunger Games in its narrative.”
more on Eugene Lambert on the Clients page...
Thrilled to bits to be announcing a brace of new deals ahead of The Frankfurt Book Fair:
Gabrielle Kent's ALFIE BLOOM: THE SECRETS OF HEXBRIDGE CASTLE in three book deal with world rights to Helen Thomas at Scholastic:
Alfie Bloom has everything it takes to be right at the forefront of the middle-grade revolution: a cracking mix of a diverse cast and exciting, inclusive storyline, all set against a quintessential Englishness of cobbled streets, village sweet shops, cakes, castles and two-headed dragons. Alfie also features Artan, a flying bear-skin rug that's just crying out to be voiced by Brian Blessed. 'Alfie's alive!', as Mr Blessed might well say....
Helen Thomas, Acquiring Editor, said “I fell instantly in love with this wonderful, magical story and was completely absorbed throughout. Gabrielle has created a new hero in Alfie Bloom, and a rich, exciting world that readers will want to dive right into and explore.”
Coinciding with publication of the first book will be a new web-based game designed and developed as part of a project with Gabrielle and her gaming students at Teesside University. Readers will be able to journey beyond the story with an interactive experience that will further bring the books to life. Rachel Partridge, Group Marketing Director at Scholastic UK commented, “Gabrielle’s fantastic gaming expertise makes this acquisition particularly exciting. We’re looking forward to developing a unique launch for Gabrielle and this brilliant series.”
more on Gabrielle Kent on the Clients page...
Eugene Lambert's sci-fi thriller THE SIGN OF ONE in three book deal with world rights to Stella Paskins for the Electric Monkey list at Egmont:
On Wrath, a dump-world for human outcasts, identical twins are feared. Only one will grow up human, while the other becomes a condemned monster with ‘twisted’ blood. When sixteen-year-old Kyle realises he’s a Twist, he flees for his life with the help of Sky, a rebel glider pilot.
To survive, they must confront what Kyle is, then find out who he is.
“This is compulsive YA at its very best – perfect for fans of Suzanne Collins, Michael Grant and Sally Green,” commented Stella Paskins, Fiction Publisher, Egmont Publishing, “We are absolutely thrilled to be publishing Eugene Lambert’s THE SIGN OF ONE, which I absolutely loved right from the start. I was immediately drawn in to the setting of this neglected place – a proper badlands surviving the best it can from whatever can be foraged from the land, or scavenged from the leftovers of some more industrial time. I am so excited about this novel. For me, it falls somewhere between Mad Max and Firefly in atmosphere, with the immediacy of Hunger Games in its narrative.”
more on Eugene Lambert on the Clients page...
WHEN MR DOG BITES by Brian Conaghan
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September 2014
Happy PB Publication Day to Brian Conaghan. WHEN MR DOG BITES is out today with a brand new and rather lovely PB jacket. To mark the event, Mr Dog has taken over the Guardian Books website and you can see a screenshot of how ace that looks here in perpetuity. In case you've been hiding under a stone, here's just a tiny amount of the floods of praise that Mr Dog has been receiving: "Brave and ambitious" Daily Mail "Surprising and charming" Observer "Funny, moving and inspirational" Sunday Mail "Beautifully observed and hilariously uncomfortable" Guardian "Touching and unforgettable" Daily Express "I loved, loved, loved this story. Loved it..." The Bookbag "I loved Dylan Mint. He made me laugh out loud and his tenacity had me rooting for him from the first page" Stephen Kelman |
BLUE MOVIE?!
August 2014
Lisa Glass has signed a film option on her Cornish surfer romance, BLUE, to Leighton Lloyd of Gipson, Hoffman & Pancione, who was part of the team behind Hotel Rwanda, Gosford Park, the Al Pacino Merchant of Venice, and the upcoming film Outcast, starring Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen, among many other high profile projects…
Woo-hoo - Go Lisa!
Lisa Glass has signed a film option on her Cornish surfer romance, BLUE, to Leighton Lloyd of Gipson, Hoffman & Pancione, who was part of the team behind Hotel Rwanda, Gosford Park, the Al Pacino Merchant of Venice, and the upcoming film Outcast, starring Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen, among many other high profile projects…
Woo-hoo - Go Lisa!
BLUE by Lisa Glass
June 2014 - Happy Publication Day too to Lisa Glass, whose Cornish surfer chick romance BLUE is published by Quercus. And check out that jacket! Now, I've been waxing lyrical (I said wax. It's a surf pun. Geddit?) about BLUE (ok, and Zeke. We NEED more Zeke) for yonks, but here's some feedback from over in the YA blog-world:
"Screams summer, sea and romance... I found myself swept away like a rogue wave... Quite possibly the best British book of its kind."
Wondrous Reads
"I adored this book.. I love that this book was a UKYA novel, which made it feel that bit more real and relatable" Overflowing Library
"A perfect all round novel" Mrs B Books
"I loved the surfing, I swooned over Zeke and I had a wonderful adventure with Iris... a STUNNING read for the summer!" Reading in the sunshine
"Adorable... an ideal beach companion" Daisy Chain
"Such a fun and romantic, summery beach read" Fluttering Butterflies
"Hypnotic... Made me yearn to be in the water. I fell hard for this book and Iris and Zeke and their story... A true summer read" Actin' up with Books
And there's more praise over on the Clients page...
"Screams summer, sea and romance... I found myself swept away like a rogue wave... Quite possibly the best British book of its kind."
Wondrous Reads
"I adored this book.. I love that this book was a UKYA novel, which made it feel that bit more real and relatable" Overflowing Library
"A perfect all round novel" Mrs B Books
"I loved the surfing, I swooned over Zeke and I had a wonderful adventure with Iris... a STUNNING read for the summer!" Reading in the sunshine
"Adorable... an ideal beach companion" Daisy Chain
"Such a fun and romantic, summery beach read" Fluttering Butterflies
"Hypnotic... Made me yearn to be in the water. I fell hard for this book and Iris and Zeke and their story... A true summer read" Actin' up with Books
And there's more praise over on the Clients page...
How I do love the smell of NEW DEALS in the morning!
Stefan Mohamed's BITTER SIXTEEN to Salt Publishing
May 2014
Over the moon to announce a three book deal (World English) with SALT PUBLISHING for talented and award-winning new-comer Stefan Mohamed! Coming of age super-hero novel BITTER SIXTEEN will be published in 2015, with the rest of the trilogy ACE OF SPIDERS and STANLY'S GHOST following at yearly intervals. Stefan won the unpublished writers category of the Dylan Thomas Prize with BITTER SIXTEEN, garnering tons of acclaim from the prize judges:
‘The freshest of the short-listed novels. I raced through it like I was reading a comic book’
Cerys Matthews, frontwoman of CATATONIA and Dylan Thomas Prize juror
For more info, get thee to the Clients page...
Over the moon to announce a three book deal (World English) with SALT PUBLISHING for talented and award-winning new-comer Stefan Mohamed! Coming of age super-hero novel BITTER SIXTEEN will be published in 2015, with the rest of the trilogy ACE OF SPIDERS and STANLY'S GHOST following at yearly intervals. Stefan won the unpublished writers category of the Dylan Thomas Prize with BITTER SIXTEEN, garnering tons of acclaim from the prize judges:
‘The freshest of the short-listed novels. I raced through it like I was reading a comic book’
Cerys Matthews, frontwoman of CATATONIA and Dylan Thomas Prize juror
For more info, get thee to the Clients page...
THE PIRATE'S SWORD by H.L.Dennis
May 2014 - Happy Publication Day to H.L. Dennis! The Pirate's Sword, Book 5 (the penultimate!) of the Carnegie-nominated Secret Breakers series, is published by Hodder Childrens Books.
Helen is on a whistle-stop book tour of Newcastle, Birmingham and London to promote the latest, teaching kids how to crack codes and join Team Veritas for themselves. There's also a downloadable reading guide to help teachers plan curriculum-friendly literacy activities around the Team's adventures!
For more information or to book Helen for events, go to:
http://hldennis.com/schools-visits/
"Our Year 7 and 8 students were enthralled – so much buzz about the book at school!"
GAYNOR LYONS, LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE MANAGER
"The children loved every minute – they were in awe!"
CASSIE PALMER, YEAR 5 TEACHER
Helen is on a whistle-stop book tour of Newcastle, Birmingham and London to promote the latest, teaching kids how to crack codes and join Team Veritas for themselves. There's also a downloadable reading guide to help teachers plan curriculum-friendly literacy activities around the Team's adventures!
For more information or to book Helen for events, go to:
http://hldennis.com/schools-visits/
"Our Year 7 and 8 students were enthralled – so much buzz about the book at school!"
GAYNOR LYONS, LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE MANAGER
"The children loved every minute – they were in awe!"
CASSIE PALMER, YEAR 5 TEACHER
+ NEW DEALS ALERT + NEW DEALS ALERT +
March 2014
Chuffed to bits to be announcing three new deals at The Bologna Children's Book Fair.
In no particular order (well, alphabetically by author):
Chuffed to bits to be announcing three new deals at The Bologna Children's Book Fair.
In no particular order (well, alphabetically by author):
Lu Hersey's DEEP WATER to Usborne
IPG 2014 Independent Publisher of the Year AND Children's Publisher of the Year Usborne has bought World Rights to DEEP WATER by Lu Hersey, to be published in Spring 2015.
Winner of the 2012 Mslexia Children’s Novel Writing Award, DEEP WATER is 'a mesmerizing YA must-read mystery, set in a beautiful, remote Cornish village.'
“Outstanding... I raced through it.” - Malorie Blackman
“Such an accomplished, tightly-shaped book.” - Julia Eccleshare
“A lovely, mythical quality” - Elen Caldecott
Fiction Director Rebecca Hill says: "DEEP WATER has it all: a thrilling, fast-paced story, which pulled, pushed, twisted me through and left me gasping to know what, why and how; a stunning, lyrical and highly atmospheric voice, with descriptions so vivid I could taste the tang of sea water, and feel the rush of the waves around me; and, above all, an enthralling - and very real - cast of characters, with Danni, and her secret, at its heart.”
more on Lu Hersey on the Clients page...
Winner of the 2012 Mslexia Children’s Novel Writing Award, DEEP WATER is 'a mesmerizing YA must-read mystery, set in a beautiful, remote Cornish village.'
“Outstanding... I raced through it.” - Malorie Blackman
“Such an accomplished, tightly-shaped book.” - Julia Eccleshare
“A lovely, mythical quality” - Elen Caldecott
Fiction Director Rebecca Hill says: "DEEP WATER has it all: a thrilling, fast-paced story, which pulled, pushed, twisted me through and left me gasping to know what, why and how; a stunning, lyrical and highly atmospheric voice, with descriptions so vivid I could taste the tang of sea water, and feel the rush of the waves around me; and, above all, an enthralling - and very real - cast of characters, with Danni, and her secret, at its heart.”
more on Lu Hersey on the Clients page...
Anna McKerrow's CROW MOON to Quercus
Quercus Children’s Books has taken world rights to Anna McKerrow's, CROW MOON, 'a sultry, funny coming-of-age story and YA adventure about a reluctant boy witch with stunning powers'.
The first book in the trilogy is to be published in Spring 2015, with two book to follow at yearly intervals.
Publishing Director Roisin Heycock says: ‘I fell in love with the character of Danny. He’s a teenage boy full of energy, misguided love and more than a touch of selfishness. He is fighting a world he doesn’t want to become a part of but which needs him, and might just use him in terrible ways. Anna works with teenagers and she understands the way their hearts work; she brings such humour and observation to her writing.’
more on Anna McKerrow on the Clients page...
The first book in the trilogy is to be published in Spring 2015, with two book to follow at yearly intervals.
Publishing Director Roisin Heycock says: ‘I fell in love with the character of Danny. He’s a teenage boy full of energy, misguided love and more than a touch of selfishness. He is fighting a world he doesn’t want to become a part of but which needs him, and might just use him in terrible ways. Anna works with teenagers and she understands the way their hearts work; she brings such humour and observation to her writing.’
more on Anna McKerrow on the Clients page...
Fletcher Moss's THE NIGHT WARDENS to Chicken House
The Chicken House has snapped up world rights to award-winning Fletcher Moss's second novel, THE NIGHT WARDENS, which is to be published in Summer 2015.
Ruler of The Chicken House roost, Barry Cunningham, had this to say: ‘Fletcher Moss was the run-away winner of the 2013 Times/Chicken House Novel Competition with THE POISON BOY. Now part of the incredible new talent roster of the excellent Ben Illis at his new agency, The BIA, Fletcher Moss has written a haunting and outstanding teen thriller about a prison from which there is no return - THE NIGHT WARDENS - acquired on a pre-empt by The Chicken House with world rights.'
more on Fletcher Moss on the Clients page...
Ruler of The Chicken House roost, Barry Cunningham, had this to say: ‘Fletcher Moss was the run-away winner of the 2013 Times/Chicken House Novel Competition with THE POISON BOY. Now part of the incredible new talent roster of the excellent Ben Illis at his new agency, The BIA, Fletcher Moss has written a haunting and outstanding teen thriller about a prison from which there is no return - THE NIGHT WARDENS - acquired on a pre-empt by The Chicken House with world rights.'
more on Fletcher Moss on the Clients page...
THE POISON BOY TAKES DUDLEY TEEN BOOK AWARD!
March 2014
That Fletcher Moss has been busy!
In addition to winning the TIMES CHICKEN HOUSE PRIZE, Fletcher has just scooped the DUDLEY TEEN BOOK AWARD for THE POISON BOY
THE POISON BOY is also short-listed for the following prizes:
Not a bad little haul there!
More Fletcher Moss news to be announced at the 2014 Bologna Children's Book Fair. Watch this space!
That Fletcher Moss has been busy!
In addition to winning the TIMES CHICKEN HOUSE PRIZE, Fletcher has just scooped the DUDLEY TEEN BOOK AWARD for THE POISON BOY
THE POISON BOY is also short-listed for the following prizes:
- Leeds Book Award ( to be announced 21st May)
- Calderdale Children's Book Award (to be announced 18th June)
- North-East Teen Book Award (date tbc)
- The Staffordshire Young Teen Fiction Book Award (date tbc)
Not a bad little haul there!
More Fletcher Moss news to be announced at the 2014 Bologna Children's Book Fair. Watch this space!
FERRYMAN SCOOPS SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR!!!
March 2014
WOW! The wonderful Claire McFall has beaten off strong (and highly respected, experienced and prolific) competition to win The Scottish Book Trust's 2013 Scottish YA Book Award for her debut FERRYMAN!
Huge congratulations to Claire; to her editor Helen Boyle and to all the team responsible at Templar Books. So, so, SO pleased for you all!!
In case you've been hiding under a stone and haven't heard about FERRYMAN yet, scroll down for a list of prize recognition to date.
Meanwhile, to coincide with the prize announcement, The Telegraph has reviewed Claire's second book, BOMBMAKER - also out now:
"Gripping and atmospheric" Telegraph
AND... STV interview with Claire on the 6 O'Clock News
AND... BBC Scotland have this coverage too
CLAIRE MCFALL - A PRIZE-WINNING VOICE TO WATCH OUT FOR!
WOW! The wonderful Claire McFall has beaten off strong (and highly respected, experienced and prolific) competition to win The Scottish Book Trust's 2013 Scottish YA Book Award for her debut FERRYMAN!
Huge congratulations to Claire; to her editor Helen Boyle and to all the team responsible at Templar Books. So, so, SO pleased for you all!!
In case you've been hiding under a stone and haven't heard about FERRYMAN yet, scroll down for a list of prize recognition to date.
Meanwhile, to coincide with the prize announcement, The Telegraph has reviewed Claire's second book, BOMBMAKER - also out now:
"Gripping and atmospheric" Telegraph
AND... STV interview with Claire on the 6 O'Clock News
AND... BBC Scotland have this coverage too
CLAIRE MCFALL - A PRIZE-WINNING VOICE TO WATCH OUT FOR!
More accolades for Claire McFall
February 2014
FERRYMAN has made the short-list for the inaugural Hampshire Independent Schools Book Award. That's a 6th prize nod for Claire's stunning debut!
Meanwhile, great reviews are lining up for her second novel, BOMBMAKER, out now:
"Thrilling" Julia Eccleshare, love reading for kids
"Beautifully executed ... themes of national identity and terrorism come through shining ... Tough, analytical and explosive (no pun intended), Bombmaker is a true dystopian book I have waited a long time to see, with full-on urban action in a future that could genuinely be tomorrow"
Cuckoo Review
Read the whole Cuckoo Review here:
http://cuckooreview.com/bombmaker-by-claire-mcfall/
FERRYMAN has made the short-list for the inaugural Hampshire Independent Schools Book Award. That's a 6th prize nod for Claire's stunning debut!
Meanwhile, great reviews are lining up for her second novel, BOMBMAKER, out now:
"Thrilling" Julia Eccleshare, love reading for kids
"Beautifully executed ... themes of national identity and terrorism come through shining ... Tough, analytical and explosive (no pun intended), Bombmaker is a true dystopian book I have waited a long time to see, with full-on urban action in a future that could genuinely be tomorrow"
Cuckoo Review
Read the whole Cuckoo Review here:
http://cuckooreview.com/bombmaker-by-claire-mcfall/
BOMBMAKER by Claire McFall
February 2014
Happy Publication Day to Claire McFall, whose second novel BOMBMAKER was released by Templar Books on the 1st of the month.
First review for Bombmaker:
"I couldn't put it down ... 5 stars ... kept me on the edge of my seat" Guardian
Claire's debut novel FERRYMAN has now been:
Not a bad little list there, Claire!
Happy Publication Day to Claire McFall, whose second novel BOMBMAKER was released by Templar Books on the 1st of the month.
First review for Bombmaker:
"I couldn't put it down ... 5 stars ... kept me on the edge of my seat" Guardian
Claire's debut novel FERRYMAN has now been:
- Long-listed for The Branford Boase Award
- Nominated for The Carnegie Medal
- Short-listed for the Scottish Book Award
- Short-listed for the Grampian Book Award
- Long-listed for the UKLA's YA Book of the Year Award
Not a bad little list there, Claire!
BRANFORD BOASE LONG LIST ANNOUNCED ...
... and am thrilled to say that TWO debut BIA writers and their editors are in the running. The Branford Boase Award is given annually to the author of an outstanding debut novel for children. Uniquely, it also honours the editor of the winning title and highlights the importance of the editor in nurturing new talent. So, huge congrats to:
- FLETCHER MOSS, and his editors Imogen Cooper and Barry Cunningham and their team at Chicken House for POISON BOY (Times/Chicken House prize-winner, 2013)
- CLAIRE MCFALL, and her editor Helen Boyle and the team at Templar for FERRYMAN (Claire's 5th prize nod!)
WHEN MR DOG BITES by Brian Conaghan
January 2014 update: In addition to a raft of interviews and first person pieces in, among others, The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Express and Scotland's Sunday Mail, some great review coverage is lining up:
"A brave and ambitious attempt, sympathetically depicting 'Mr Dog'"
Daily Mail
"So surprising and charming it would be hard not to feel a little uplifted." Observer
"Funny, moving and inspirational" Sunday Mail
"Beautifully observed and hilariously uncomfortable" Guardian
"A touching and unforgettable tale for fans of Pigeon English, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time and Holes"" Daily Express
"Very funny ... Conaghan weaves an enchanting tale that hooked me from the very beginning" York Vision
"Original ... loveable ... and definitely moving" Pen to Paper book blog
"A brave and ambitious attempt, sympathetically depicting 'Mr Dog'"
Daily Mail
"So surprising and charming it would be hard not to feel a little uplifted." Observer
"Funny, moving and inspirational" Sunday Mail
"Beautifully observed and hilariously uncomfortable" Guardian
"A touching and unforgettable tale for fans of Pigeon English, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time and Holes"" Daily Express
"Very funny ... Conaghan weaves an enchanting tale that hooked me from the very beginning" York Vision
"Original ... loveable ... and definitely moving" Pen to Paper book blog
January 2014: (HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
Brian Conaghan's superb break-out novel published in a dual YA/adult edition by Bloomsbury to a FANTASTIC level of critical acclaim. Brian is a guest on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live (18th Jan) Look out too for interviews coming up in the Telegraph and Express and more tbc...
"Funny, fascinating and perfectly realised. It may also be one of the biggest books of 2014" Irish Independent (interview)
"What a rip-roaring ride it is! ... If you enjoyed Curious Incident then keep your eyes peeled for When Mr Dog Bites" New Books Magazine
"I loved, loved, loved this story. Loved it ... I loved Dylan. I loved his mum. I loved his best bud Amir. I loved Michelle Stroppy Malloy. I loved Dylan's incredibly honest and incredibly politically incorrect use of language outside of his Tourette's - it's meaning, not words, that do the hurting ... I won't forget Dylan Mint in a very long time" The Bookbag
Brian Conaghan's superb break-out novel published in a dual YA/adult edition by Bloomsbury to a FANTASTIC level of critical acclaim. Brian is a guest on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live (18th Jan) Look out too for interviews coming up in the Telegraph and Express and more tbc...
"Funny, fascinating and perfectly realised. It may also be one of the biggest books of 2014" Irish Independent (interview)
"What a rip-roaring ride it is! ... If you enjoyed Curious Incident then keep your eyes peeled for When Mr Dog Bites" New Books Magazine
"I loved, loved, loved this story. Loved it ... I loved Dylan. I loved his mum. I loved his best bud Amir. I loved Michelle Stroppy Malloy. I loved Dylan's incredibly honest and incredibly politically incorrect use of language outside of his Tourette's - it's meaning, not words, that do the hurting ... I won't forget Dylan Mint in a very long time" The Bookbag
"This book, this story had me howling out loud with laughter one minute and biting my lip trying to keep tears from running down my face"
Teen Librarian Magazine
"It's the F-word - funny, foul-mouthed, fantastic!" Charlie Higson
"Intelligent, soft & gentle, but equally harsh & abrasive, When Mr Dog Bites is as complex as its characters, & is a joy to read every step of the way." ShinraAlpha book blog
"I loved Dylan Mint. He made me laugh out loud and his tenacity had me rooting for him from the first page" Stephen Kelman
"Energetic, confident and compassionate" Scotland on Sunday
"A very human story of relationships and loyalty" Irish Examiner
"Utterly fascinating and engrossing ... I can't recommend it highly enough" The Overflowing Library book blog
Teen Librarian Magazine
"It's the F-word - funny, foul-mouthed, fantastic!" Charlie Higson
"Intelligent, soft & gentle, but equally harsh & abrasive, When Mr Dog Bites is as complex as its characters, & is a joy to read every step of the way." ShinraAlpha book blog
"I loved Dylan Mint. He made me laugh out loud and his tenacity had me rooting for him from the first page" Stephen Kelman
"Energetic, confident and compassionate" Scotland on Sunday
"A very human story of relationships and loyalty" Irish Examiner
"Utterly fascinating and engrossing ... I can't recommend it highly enough" The Overflowing Library book blog
... and you can 'meet' Brian in this interview on Youtube
2014 JACKET PREVIEW JAN-JUNE.....
December 2013:
Well, here's a thing. While I await news on a brace of new deals (yes - two!) how's about a sneaky preview of a few jackets of BIA clients' work due for publication in the first half of 2014?
More info after the gallery, click on images to see full front jacket image...
Well, here's a thing. While I await news on a brace of new deals (yes - two!) how's about a sneaky preview of a few jackets of BIA clients' work due for publication in the first half of 2014?
More info after the gallery, click on images to see full front jacket image...
WHEN MR DOG BITES by BRIAN CONAGHAN (Bloomsbury) Jan 2014
[dual editions: YA (yellow/black) and Adult (grey/orange)]
BOMBMAKER by the multi-award-nominated CLAIRE MCFALL (Templar) Feb 2014
THE PIRATE'S SWORD (SECRET BREAKERS 5) by the Carnegie-nominated H.L. DENNIS (Hodder) May 2014
BLUE by LISA GLASS (Quercus) June 2014
Pretty exciting start to the year, I'd say!
[dual editions: YA (yellow/black) and Adult (grey/orange)]
BOMBMAKER by the multi-award-nominated CLAIRE MCFALL (Templar) Feb 2014
THE PIRATE'S SWORD (SECRET BREAKERS 5) by the Carnegie-nominated H.L. DENNIS (Hodder) May 2014
BLUE by LISA GLASS (Quercus) June 2014
Pretty exciting start to the year, I'd say!
BRILLIANT news comes in threes... or fours...
November 2013:
CLAIRE MCFALL and H.L. DENNIS have been nominated for the CARNEGIE MEDAL, arguably the most prestigious award in UK Children's publishing, for FERRYMAN and THE KNIGHTS OF NEUSTRIA (book 3 of SECRET BREAKERS), respectively. BRILLIANT!
Previous winners of the Carnegie include Sally Gardner, Patrick Ness, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman and C.S. Lewis, so they are in BRILLIANT company. The long-list is announced in Feb 2014, the short-list in March and winner in June. Fingers and toes crossed!
Across the Irish Sea, a recent study has shown that eight of the 10 most borrowed books in Ireland last year were children's books - no surprises there. What is BRILLIANT is that only one of the list is by an Irish writer, none other than ALAN EARLY, whose ARTHUR QUINN & THE WORLD SERPENT is officially 2012's most-borrowed book in Ireland by an Irish writer.
Fourth bit of BRILLIANT news - and fourth prize nod for CLAIRE MCFALL - FERRYMAN has also been short-listed for the Grampian Children's Book Award.
BRILLIANT stuff! Huge congratulations to authors, editors and publishers' teams all round!
CLAIRE MCFALL and H.L. DENNIS have been nominated for the CARNEGIE MEDAL, arguably the most prestigious award in UK Children's publishing, for FERRYMAN and THE KNIGHTS OF NEUSTRIA (book 3 of SECRET BREAKERS), respectively. BRILLIANT!
Previous winners of the Carnegie include Sally Gardner, Patrick Ness, Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman and C.S. Lewis, so they are in BRILLIANT company. The long-list is announced in Feb 2014, the short-list in March and winner in June. Fingers and toes crossed!
Across the Irish Sea, a recent study has shown that eight of the 10 most borrowed books in Ireland last year were children's books - no surprises there. What is BRILLIANT is that only one of the list is by an Irish writer, none other than ALAN EARLY, whose ARTHUR QUINN & THE WORLD SERPENT is officially 2012's most-borrowed book in Ireland by an Irish writer.
Fourth bit of BRILLIANT news - and fourth prize nod for CLAIRE MCFALL - FERRYMAN has also been short-listed for the Grampian Children's Book Award.
BRILLIANT stuff! Huge congratulations to authors, editors and publishers' teams all round!
New signing: prize-winner Fletcher Moss
October 2013:
Absolutely thrilled to announce new signing Fletcher Moss, who won the 2013 Times/Chicken House prize for his AWESOME (and blood-soaked) debut THE POISON BOY.
Book two is well underway, but here's some critical response to THE POISON BOY for now (more on the Clients page):
"The prose is elegant and the fun unflagging...Bravo!"
Times
Love Reading 4 Kids - April 2013 Debut of the Month
"Readers will be gripped from the opening pages of this richly-imagined story
Booktrust
Read more on the Chicken House website
Absolutely thrilled to announce new signing Fletcher Moss, who won the 2013 Times/Chicken House prize for his AWESOME (and blood-soaked) debut THE POISON BOY.
Book two is well underway, but here's some critical response to THE POISON BOY for now (more on the Clients page):
"The prose is elegant and the fun unflagging...Bravo!"
Times
Love Reading 4 Kids - April 2013 Debut of the Month
"Readers will be gripped from the opening pages of this richly-imagined story
Booktrust
Read more on the Chicken House website
FERRYMAN by Claire McFall
October 2013:
The supremely talented Claire McFall has been long-listed for the
UK Literary Agency's YA Book Award:
http://www.ukla.org/awards/longlists_ukla_book_award_2014/
to go with her short-listing for the
Scottish Book Trust's YA book award:
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/scba/shortlist-2013
Go, Claire!
Click here to link to a video of Claire talking about her writing process and reading from FERRYMAN:
The supremely talented Claire McFall has been long-listed for the
UK Literary Agency's YA Book Award:
http://www.ukla.org/awards/longlists_ukla_book_award_2014/
to go with her short-listing for the
Scottish Book Trust's YA book award:
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/scba/shortlist-2013
Go, Claire!
Click here to link to a video of Claire talking about her writing process and reading from FERRYMAN:
NEW SERIES DEAL for H.L. Dennis
September 2013:
Autumn off to a great start!
Not only does The BIA have a cracking Autumn list of new titles and new writers to send forth into the world, but the new season kicks off with a lovely new series deal for the wonderful H.L. Dennis.
The new series, working title SIGNS OF LIFE, will be published by Hodder from 2015, once the superb SECRET BREAKERS series draws to a close.
Pictured is Book 4 in the SECRET BREAKERS series, Tower of Winds, which will be published in the UK in October 2013.
Happy Agent!
www.hldennis.com
Autumn off to a great start!
Not only does The BIA have a cracking Autumn list of new titles and new writers to send forth into the world, but the new season kicks off with a lovely new series deal for the wonderful H.L. Dennis.
The new series, working title SIGNS OF LIFE, will be published by Hodder from 2015, once the superb SECRET BREAKERS series draws to a close.
Pictured is Book 4 in the SECRET BREAKERS series, Tower of Winds, which will be published in the UK in October 2013.
Happy Agent!
www.hldennis.com
ARTHUR QUINN & HELL'S KEEPER by Alan Early
August 2013:
The dramatic conclusion to the acclaimed Arthur Quinn Trilogy published by Mercier Press, 7th August 2013 - Exciting times!
Praise for Arthur Quinn:
"A brilliant creation.... fast-paced and thrilling"
Eoin Colfer (author of Artemis Fowl)
Arthur Quinn & The World Serpent (2011) was short-listed for the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Award and was chosen as the featured title in the UNESCO sponsored Dublin Reading Project.
Arthur Quinn & The Fenris Wolf was published in 2012 to further critical acclaim.
For more info, go to: www.alanearly.com and www.arthurquinn.ie
The dramatic conclusion to the acclaimed Arthur Quinn Trilogy published by Mercier Press, 7th August 2013 - Exciting times!
Praise for Arthur Quinn:
"A brilliant creation.... fast-paced and thrilling"
Eoin Colfer (author of Artemis Fowl)
Arthur Quinn & The World Serpent (2011) was short-listed for the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Award and was chosen as the featured title in the UNESCO sponsored Dublin Reading Project.
Arthur Quinn & The Fenris Wolf was published in 2012 to further critical acclaim.
For more info, go to: www.alanearly.com and www.arthurquinn.ie
SPOOKED by Paul Bryers
July 2013:
Countdown to publication day - 1st August 2013 - magic jacket from Hodder!
Twelve-year-old Kit Connelly has been saved from almost certain death ... by a ghost. A ghost who looks a lot like a fourteen-year-old version of herself.
Believing that her ghost must have saved her for a reason and knowing that she only has two years left to make her mark, Kit decides to do something life-changing. But her plan to save the world takes her on a nightmare journey and to a dramatic and surprising conclusion.
Countdown to publication day - 1st August 2013 - magic jacket from Hodder!
Twelve-year-old Kit Connelly has been saved from almost certain death ... by a ghost. A ghost who looks a lot like a fourteen-year-old version of herself.
Believing that her ghost must have saved her for a reason and knowing that she only has two years left to make her mark, Kit decides to do something life-changing. But her plan to save the world takes her on a nightmare journey and to a dramatic and surprising conclusion.
THE SPOILS OF CONQUEST by Seth Hunter
July 2013: The 6th (and final) Nathan Peake novel published by Headline
The Mouth of the Nile, 9th August, 1798: Admiral Nelson has sent Captain Nathan Peake on a desperate journey across the Middle East to convey a grim warning to British India. Bonaparte's army is poised to deliver a fatal blow to the source of Britain's wealth and power by marching overland to India.
Arriving in Bombay, Nathan takes command of the East India Company's naval wing - the Bombay Marine - an under-armed and poorly crewed flotilla of sloops and gunboats.
With these meagre resources he must stop the flow of French supplies to their Indian ally and protect the Company's trade from the pirates and privateers swarming in the Bay of Bengal.
But when Nathan discovers the truth behind the East India Company's honourable facade he confronts some tough personal choices - and a crisis of conscience even more threatening than the enemy.
Selected praise for Seth Hunter:
"Hunter has a more natural storyteller’s eye than O’Brian... well wrought and deftly told’
Daily Telegraph
‘This book has it all... will be welcomed by lovers of naval historical fiction’
Daily Mail
The Mouth of the Nile, 9th August, 1798: Admiral Nelson has sent Captain Nathan Peake on a desperate journey across the Middle East to convey a grim warning to British India. Bonaparte's army is poised to deliver a fatal blow to the source of Britain's wealth and power by marching overland to India.
Arriving in Bombay, Nathan takes command of the East India Company's naval wing - the Bombay Marine - an under-armed and poorly crewed flotilla of sloops and gunboats.
With these meagre resources he must stop the flow of French supplies to their Indian ally and protect the Company's trade from the pirates and privateers swarming in the Bay of Bengal.
But when Nathan discovers the truth behind the East India Company's honourable facade he confronts some tough personal choices - and a crisis of conscience even more threatening than the enemy.
Selected praise for Seth Hunter:
"Hunter has a more natural storyteller’s eye than O’Brian... well wrought and deftly told’
Daily Telegraph
‘This book has it all... will be welcomed by lovers of naval historical fiction’
Daily Mail
THE KNIGHTS OF NEUSTRIA by H.L. Dennis
May 2013
THE KNIGHTS OF NEUSTRIA, (Secret Breakers 3)
published by Hodder
"I was soon drawn to it like a magnet to iron. it is full to bursting with suspense and false trails which makes it seem that all the characters find out is true. It forces you to carry on reading no matter what... I rate it at 9/10."
Guardian
"I thought The Orphan of the Flames topped the The Power of Three... but this latest addition to the series is EVEN BETTER!!... (SOOOO EXCITING!!). As always, you're drawn into the excitement of breaking the codes along with the characters - it's a gripping adventure AND a brilliant workout for your brain as you try to get there before Brodie, Hunter, Tusia, Sheldon and the team! Seriously, age 8 and up, you'll love this!"
Amazon reader review
THE KNIGHTS OF NEUSTRIA, (Secret Breakers 3)
published by Hodder
"I was soon drawn to it like a magnet to iron. it is full to bursting with suspense and false trails which makes it seem that all the characters find out is true. It forces you to carry on reading no matter what... I rate it at 9/10."
Guardian
"I thought The Orphan of the Flames topped the The Power of Three... but this latest addition to the series is EVEN BETTER!!... (SOOOO EXCITING!!). As always, you're drawn into the excitement of breaking the codes along with the characters - it's a gripping adventure AND a brilliant workout for your brain as you try to get there before Brodie, Hunter, Tusia, Sheldon and the team! Seriously, age 8 and up, you'll love this!"
Amazon reader review
FERRYMAN by Claire McFall
June 2013:
Claire McFall's debut FERRYMAN has been shortlisted for THE SCOTTISH CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
Scottish Book Trust's official page:
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/scba/shortlist-2013
Guardian's coverage:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2013/jun/25/scottish-childrens-book-awards-shortlist
Claire McFall's debut FERRYMAN has been shortlisted for THE SCOTTISH CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
Scottish Book Trust's official page:
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/scba/shortlist-2013
Guardian's coverage:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2013/jun/25/scottish-childrens-book-awards-shortlist
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS by Ian Johnstone
Book one of The Mirror Chronicles
June 2013: More great reviews lining up:
Books, Teens & Magazines
http://www.booksteensandmagazines.com/view/the-bell-between-the-worlds---the-mirror-chronicles
We Love This Book (The Bookseller)
http://www.welovethisbook.com/reviews/bell-between-worlds-mirror-chronicles
Celtic Frog Reviews
http://www.celticfrogreviews.com/?p=682
Readaraptor
http://www.readaraptor.co.uk/2013/06/the-bell-between-worlds-mirror.html
Bookbag
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=The_Mirror_Chronicles:_the_Bell_Between_Worlds_by_Ian_Johnstone
From the Writer’s Nest
http://throughthegateway.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/review-bell-between-worlds-by-ian.html
Dubray Books
http://www.dubraybooks.ie/childrens01.asp
Lamont Books
http://lamontbooks.com.au/info/node/525
June 2013: More great reviews lining up:
Books, Teens & Magazines
http://www.booksteensandmagazines.com/view/the-bell-between-the-worlds---the-mirror-chronicles
We Love This Book (The Bookseller)
http://www.welovethisbook.com/reviews/bell-between-worlds-mirror-chronicles
Celtic Frog Reviews
http://www.celticfrogreviews.com/?p=682
Readaraptor
http://www.readaraptor.co.uk/2013/06/the-bell-between-worlds-mirror.html
Bookbag
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=The_Mirror_Chronicles:_the_Bell_Between_Worlds_by_Ian_Johnstone
From the Writer’s Nest
http://throughthegateway.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/review-bell-between-worlds-by-ian.html
Dubray Books
http://www.dubraybooks.ie/childrens01.asp
Lamont Books
http://lamontbooks.com.au/info/node/525
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS by Ian Johnstone
May 2013
Excellent pre-publication review from http://mrripleysenchantedbooks.blogspot.co.uk/:
"This book is definitely the belle of the ball - it is taking fantasy literature literally by storm this year. It is a book that, in my opinion, should certainly see Ian's name in the fantasy hall of fame.
After flying through the first chapter I had a tingling feeling that this book was going to be really special and I was not wrong. The more that I read, the more I became totally immersed in an amazing world of painted words - it is a story that's breathtaking and an absolute joy to read. I feel that it will be a book that you will reflect on for the rest of your life. Just like when you first read the Hobbit or Sabriel or took your first stroll along the story path of Terry Pratchett. It's a reading journey that will take you to another world and one that you will remember for a very long time. Fantastically exciting...
Quite simply ... Possibly the best book that I have or will read this year"
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS is out in June 2013
Here's the full review: http://t.co/7HKn6ZmFgZ
Excellent pre-publication review from http://mrripleysenchantedbooks.blogspot.co.uk/:
"This book is definitely the belle of the ball - it is taking fantasy literature literally by storm this year. It is a book that, in my opinion, should certainly see Ian's name in the fantasy hall of fame.
After flying through the first chapter I had a tingling feeling that this book was going to be really special and I was not wrong. The more that I read, the more I became totally immersed in an amazing world of painted words - it is a story that's breathtaking and an absolute joy to read. I feel that it will be a book that you will reflect on for the rest of your life. Just like when you first read the Hobbit or Sabriel or took your first stroll along the story path of Terry Pratchett. It's a reading journey that will take you to another world and one that you will remember for a very long time. Fantastically exciting...
Quite simply ... Possibly the best book that I have or will read this year"
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS is out in June 2013
Here's the full review: http://t.co/7HKn6ZmFgZ
BLUE by Lisa Glass
April 2013
Lisa Glass's YA debut, the wonderful Cornish surfer chick romance, BLUE, to be published in Summer 2014 by Quercus, with two subsequent books to follow in 2015 and 2016. www.lisaglass.co.uk
Lisa Glass's YA debut, the wonderful Cornish surfer chick romance, BLUE, to be published in Summer 2014 by Quercus, with two subsequent books to follow in 2015 and 2016. www.lisaglass.co.uk
FERRYMAN by CLAIRE MCFALL
Some great reviews lining up:
Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/mar/30/teenage-fiction-books-round-up
Good Reads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16083600-ferryman
Death Books and Tea
http://deathbooksandtea.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/book-review-ferryman-by-claire-mcfall.html
Love Reading
http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/8179/Ferryman-by-Claire-McFall-.html
Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/mar/30/teenage-fiction-books-round-up
Good Reads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16083600-ferryman
Death Books and Tea
http://deathbooksandtea.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/book-review-ferryman-by-claire-mcfall.html
Love Reading
http://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/8179/Ferryman-by-Claire-McFall-.html
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS by IAN JOHNSTONE
June 2013:
Ian Johnstone's THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS,
book one of THE MIRROR CHRONICLES to be published by Harper Collins:
A glorious, epic fantasy, drawing comparison with both
CS Lewis and Philip Pullman.
The hero is Sylas Tate, who leads a lonely existence with his cruel uncle until the tolling of a giant bell draws him into the Other. Here he discovers not only that he has an inborn talent for the nature-influenced magic of the Fourth Way, but also that his lost mother might just have come from this parallel world. Meanwhile, evil forces are stirring, and an astounding revelation awaits Sylas: that the Other is a mirror of our world, and every person here has a counterpart there. As violence looms and the stakes get higher, Sylas must seek to unite the two worlds and the two halves of his soul - otherwise the entire universe may fall...
Ian Johnstone's THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS,
book one of THE MIRROR CHRONICLES to be published by Harper Collins:
A glorious, epic fantasy, drawing comparison with both
CS Lewis and Philip Pullman.
The hero is Sylas Tate, who leads a lonely existence with his cruel uncle until the tolling of a giant bell draws him into the Other. Here he discovers not only that he has an inborn talent for the nature-influenced magic of the Fourth Way, but also that his lost mother might just have come from this parallel world. Meanwhile, evil forces are stirring, and an astounding revelation awaits Sylas: that the Other is a mirror of our world, and every person here has a counterpart there. As violence looms and the stakes get higher, Sylas must seek to unite the two worlds and the two halves of his soul - otherwise the entire universe may fall...
FERRYMAN by CLAIRE MCFALL
March 2013
Claire McFall's magnificent FERRYMAN published by Templar Fiction:
When teenager Dylan pulls herself free from a train wreck and emerges onto an almost deserted Scottish hillside, she believes she is the only survivor. Seeing the figure of a boy on the bank she enlists his help. But Tristan is no ordinary passerby, and Dylan soon learns that instead of being the only survivor of the wreck, she is in fact the only fatality. And, Tristan is no normal teenage boy - he is her ferryman tasked with guiding her through the wasteland to her afterlife. As the pair journey further together through the dangerous wraith-infested wasteland, they fall deeply in love. When they reach the other side, Tristan promises to cross over with Dylan, but when she steps across the threshold and turns back, he is not there. Confronted with life without Tristan, Dylan vows to find him, but that means traversing the dangerous wasteland without a guide - A moving, epic love story, that's exciting, scary, funny, thought-provoking and truly original.
Claire McFall's magnificent FERRYMAN published by Templar Fiction:
When teenager Dylan pulls herself free from a train wreck and emerges onto an almost deserted Scottish hillside, she believes she is the only survivor. Seeing the figure of a boy on the bank she enlists his help. But Tristan is no ordinary passerby, and Dylan soon learns that instead of being the only survivor of the wreck, she is in fact the only fatality. And, Tristan is no normal teenage boy - he is her ferryman tasked with guiding her through the wasteland to her afterlife. As the pair journey further together through the dangerous wraith-infested wasteland, they fall deeply in love. When they reach the other side, Tristan promises to cross over with Dylan, but when she steps across the threshold and turns back, he is not there. Confronted with life without Tristan, Dylan vows to find him, but that means traversing the dangerous wasteland without a guide - A moving, epic love story, that's exciting, scary, funny, thought-provoking and truly original.
THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS by IAN JOHNSTONE
December 2012
Dutch rights acquired by De Boekrij in Holland. De Boekerij will publish THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS in September 2013, in time for the Dutch Children’s Book Award.
Dutch rights acquired by De Boekrij in Holland. De Boekerij will publish THE BELL BETWEEN WORLDS in September 2013, in time for the Dutch Children’s Book Award.
FERRYMAN by CLAIRE MCFALL
November 2012
Turkish rights acquired by Yapi Kredi Yayinlari in Turkey.
Turkish rights acquired by Yapi Kredi Yayinlari in Turkey.
WHEN MR DOG BITES by BRIAN CONAGHAN
August 2012
World rights to this stunning novel acquired by Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury will publish simultaneous editions for Adult and Young Adult markets in both the UK and US in January 2014, with a second book to follow in 2015.
World rights to this stunning novel acquired by Bloomsbury. Bloomsbury will publish simultaneous editions for Adult and Young Adult markets in both the UK and US in January 2014, with a second book to follow in 2015.
THE FLAG OF FREEDOM by SETH HUNTER
July 2012
The Flag of Freedom, the 5th Nathan Peake novel published by Headline
1797: Britain stands alone against the forces of Revolutionary France. A victorious French Army, led by the youthful Napoleon Bonaparte, is poised to invade Britain. And in his country's darkest hour, Captain Nathan Peake finds himself imprisoned by his own side on the Rock of Gibraltar - charged with treason. To prove his innocence Nathan must uncover the great deception that masks the French war aims. Is the great armada being assembled in Toulon bound for the shores of Great Britain - or Egypt? His secret mission to discover the truth about Napoleon's invasion plans will hurl him into two of the greatest battles of the 18th century.
You can read more on www.paulbryers.com and www.nathanpeake.com.
The Flag of Freedom, the 5th Nathan Peake novel published by Headline
1797: Britain stands alone against the forces of Revolutionary France. A victorious French Army, led by the youthful Napoleon Bonaparte, is poised to invade Britain. And in his country's darkest hour, Captain Nathan Peake finds himself imprisoned by his own side on the Rock of Gibraltar - charged with treason. To prove his innocence Nathan must uncover the great deception that masks the French war aims. Is the great armada being assembled in Toulon bound for the shores of Great Britain - or Egypt? His secret mission to discover the truth about Napoleon's invasion plans will hurl him into two of the greatest battles of the 18th century.
You can read more on www.paulbryers.com and www.nathanpeake.com.