Today we received the exciting news that we are a Country Finalist for the prestigious Small Press of the Year Awards.
‘We are really delighted to be on the Nibbies shortlist this year, and to see so many Welsh publishers with us on the list. Receiving four Carnegie nominations, winning the Wales children’s Book of the Year and the Waterstones Wales Book of the Year, and the success of our Ignite scheme for aspiring authors, were some of the highlights for a very hardworking team in a tough year, and it’s marvellous to have their achievements recognised by this award.’ Penny Thomas, publisher
The British Book Awards 2025 Small Press of the Year, sponsored by CPI Books, celebrates the independent presses dedicated to imaginative, forward-looking and diverse publishing.
In total there are 55 small presses listed across nine different regions and countries, including 12 in London, seven in both Scotland and South-East England, six in North England, five in Wales, South-West England and the Midlands, and four in the Island of Ireland and East England.
A huge thanks to our wonderful editors, designers, marketers, reps, authors, illustrators, translators, agents and more for making this possible. Roll on the Nibbies!
The news is out! And I Hear Dragons, a groundbreaking anthology celebrating belonging, identity and DRAGONS, has been included in Empathy Lab’s Read for Empathy collection 2025. Huge congratulations to editor Hanan Issa, illustrator Eric Heyman and contributing poets.
EmpathyLab has produced a #ReadforEmpathy book collection, with accompanying book guides, annually since 2017. Each title in the collection has been chosen by a panel of judges to do a specific empathy-building job. The list has been created as a practical tool to help young people learn more about empathy and put it into action, giving adults the resources they need to raise an empathy-educated generation.
Read on to find out more about And I Hear Dragons.
A ground-breaking new anthology from diverse Welsh writers aimed at children aged between eight and twelve.
And I Hear Dragon, explores the concept of identity, and Hanan has written a poem of the same name that ʻcelebrates the children of Wales as ferociously brave mythical beastsʼ, taking on discrimination, pollution and more, and upholding Walesʼ tradition of croesawgar (welcoming).
Participating poets:
Wales Children’s Laureate Alex Wharton, Angela Hui, Bethany Handley, Casi Wyn, Durre Shahwar, E.L. Norry, Emma Smith Barton, Eric Ngalle Charles, Grug Muse, Hafsah, Hanan Issa, Iestyn Tyne, Ifor ap Glyn, Jaffrin, Jessica Dunrod, Joshua Jones, Kandace Siobhan Walker, Marvin Thompson, Mari Ellis Dunning, Marvin Thompson, Mererid Hopwood, Nia Morais, Rebecca Parfitt, Rhiannon Oliver, Sarah Ziman, Sophie Anderson, Taylor Edmonds
You can buy the English/ Welsh bilingual version here.
The news is out! Play, the stunning and compelling YA novel from Luke Palmer, has been longlisted for The Carnegie Medal for Writing 2025. Huge congratulations to Luke.
The Carnegies are the UK’s longest running children’s book awards, recognising outstanding reading experiences created through writing and illustration in books for children and young people.
Read on to find out more about these brilliant nominated books…
Four boys grow up together at school, itching to get out of their small town. They play games, scoring points from each other, anything to pass the time until they’re free.
Matthew slips into his imagination, Luc pushes his body to the limit, and Johnny … well who knows what Johnny’s up to. But when Mark starts running errands for his older brother’s mysterious associate, he thinks he’s found the best game of all. There’s money in his pocket and his friends have started looking at him differently.
Then Mark breaks a rule, and quickly realises that the penalties in this game far outweigh the prizes. Can they all make it to the finish line before someone loses more than just face?
PLAY is a superbly written, tense and moving drama – a terrific second YA novel from Luke Palmer, whose debut title, Grow, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase first novel award and longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022.
Coming soon from Luke Palmer:
Sixth-former George leads the school’s coolest band – no party is complete without them. But when tragedy strikes, how can he, and the rest of his year group, rediscover the bright future they’d all planned?
This stunning coming-of-age novel for anyone who ever wanted to be in a band is due to land in bookshops June 2025.
Penny Thomas, publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World English Rights to Grimstink by Daniel Peak from Philippa Perry at Show Me The Rabbit.
Alien Grimstink has travelled ninety-thousand light years to annihilate all life on Earth. Thirteen-year-old Layla Tenby has travelled half a mile to deliver leaflets for affordable fence panels.
But, when they suddenly swap places, Grimstink finds himself battling traffic wardens and the subway sandwich ordering system, while Layla is zapped to a strange planet and left fighting for the future of the galaxy whether she wants to or not (spoiler: she does not want to). Is Reece, Layla’s annoying younger brother, key to the galaxy’s survival, or will his friendship with new bestie Grimstink lead them all to impending doom?
From black holes to shopping precincts; from mining satellites to old people’s homes; from quantum spaceships to the middle aisle of Aldi… Is this the end of all life on Planet Earth or the beginning of a beautiful friendship?
Grimstink is due to land in bookshops on 10th July 2025.
‘Grimstink is one of the funniest books I have ever read, featuring a hilariously honest depiction of life on Earth, and an alien planet with seven moons and killer deathbots. With Daniel’s perfect comic timing, unique characters, unusual friendships, a ticking clock and WhatsApp groups, this story will have everyone rolling around laughing. We can’t wait for readers to meet Grimstink, Layla, Reece and Sid very soon!’ Lucy Mohan, editor
Daniel Peak said: ‘I am thrilled that Grimstink is on his way to destroy Planet Earth and extremely proud and grateful that Firefly are bringing him in to land.’
Huge congratulations to Julie Pike who has seen her sizzling magical adventure novel for 9-12s – Flame Chasers burn its way through the competition to land in The Times Best Children’s Books of 2024 list.
Julie, who hails from a Neath council estate, has carried out many events with the town’s schools and libraries with Flame Chasers, and is delighted with the accolade for her second children’s novel, and the first with Wales-based Firefly Press.
Published in June 24, Flame Chasers is described as, “an exquisite story that burns brightly,” by Times children’s reviewer Lucy Bannerman who also made it a Times Children’s Book of the Week on publication.
‘It sizzles with imagination,’ she says. ‘Impossible Creatures was the hit that everyone was chasing last year, but this magical adventure feels like a sparky younger sibling to Katherine Rundell’s bestseller.”
Flame Chasers tells the story of Ember, whose only wish is to fly with the golden flamebirds who stop every year at her hometown of Bright Beacon before heading west across the seas to their mysterious home. Their fiery arrival is also the signal for the waiting flame chasers in the harbour below to get ready to follow the birds, whose glowing tail feathers grant the finder a wish for their heart’s desire. But wishes have consequences… and when Ember’s father is lost at sea on the flame chase, she must find a ship that will set sail with her to find him.
Firefly publisher Penny Thomas said: ‘Flame Chasers is a superb, magical, middle-grade title, swirling with rich colours, wish-magic, mysterious golden flamebirds and daring deeds on the high seas. It’s a thrilling adventure that doesn’t leave out hot chocolate and heart-warming moments. We’re so delighted for Julie that this sparking adventure has been recognised in this way!’
