Firefly Press co-founder Janet Thomas is stepping back from her voluntary role as Editor and management after nearly ten years. In that time the Wales-based publisher has grown from a standing start to a respected indie children’s publisher with a string of award successes.
Authors and staff have queued up to thank Janet for her inspirational editing and unwavering dedication to the press, which has been vital to Firefly’s launch and its subsequent success. Janet, who is also a long-term voluntary committee member with Honno Welsh Women’s Press, will now join the Firefly board and remain as a shareholder.
‘Janet is one of a kind. She is a first-class children’s editor who is deeply empathetic, selfless and endlessly hard-working for the authors, staff and publishers she supports,’ said co-founder and Firefly publisher, Penny Thomas (no relation!)
‘It was a huge stroke of luck to have met Janet and start Firefly with her back in 2013. There’s no way Firefly would exist without her dedication, good sense, talent and sheer hard work.
‘When we started out, we wanted to publish quality children’s fiction and establish a fun, successful, Wales-based children’s publisher. The reality has been exhilarating, exhausting, and, thanks to the support of so many wonderful people, has outstripped our wildest expectations and still goes from strength to strength!
‘We will miss Janet immensely as an editor and colleague, but we are so grateful that she will remain a part of Firefly at board level.’
Authors edited by Janet Thomas at Firefly include former Children’s Laureate Wales Eloise Williams, Jo Clarke, Rhian Ivory, Sharon Marie Jones, Kate Mallinder and Vanessa Harbour among many others.
Eloise Williams (Elen’s Island, Gaslight, Seaglass, Honesty and Lies), who started her children’s writing career with Firefly in 2015 said: ‘Janet has inspired us all! Thank you so much. We love you!’
And Vanessa Harbour (Flight, Safe) added: ‘Working with you has been a pure joy because you always get what I am trying to do.’
Firefly Publicity Manager and long-time colleague Megan Farr said: ‘I have learned so much from you, Janet, always calm and with a clear vision, keeping us all on track and we will all miss you hugely.’
And Helgard Krause, chief executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: ‘Thank you Janet, for the expertise, enthusiasm and commitment that you’ve given so generously to the publishing sector over so many years.’
Janet’s editorial role is being taken over by author and publisher Rebecca F. John, who has started with Firefly this week. ‘We’re delighted to welcome Rebecca to Firefly as Senior Editor,’ said Penny. ‘We couldn’t ask for a better person to join the company at this time!’
Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired Welsh rights to The Last Firefox, a thrilling middle-grade debut by Lee Newbery, illustrated by Laura Catalán, from Penguin Random House.
The title will be one of four Welsh language adaptations to be published by Firefly this autumn, in a major new move for the award-winning indie. The others are adaptations of Firefly titles The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher and non-fiction titles Fantastic Football and Rampaging Rugby by Robin Bennett.
‘Firefly Press set up to publish quality fiction in English for readers everywhere, and that has been way more successful than we could have dreamt when we started out nearly ten years ago,’ said Publisher Penny Thomas. ‘That will not change, but we are now at an exciting stage in our journey where there are some wonderful titles we are able to bring to a Welsh-speaking readership too.
‘We couldn’t ask for better stories to start with than The Last Firefox and The Clockwork Crow, and the crazy humour of Rampaging Rugby and Fantastic Football (which has a new introduction from Manon Steffan Ros) for Welsh readers too, and we’d like to thank the Books Council of Wales for their terrific support in this venture.
‘We’re so delighted that Lee is to join us for this Welsh language edition of his debut title and very much looking forward to publishing it this autumn!’
The Last Firefox follows Charlie Challinor, who is made temporary guardian of magical firefox cub, Cadno, and learns that he can be brave and maybe life isn’t so scary after all.
The adaptation, entitled Y Llwynog Tân Olaf and translated by Sian Northey, will introduce Charlie, Cadno and friends to a new Welsh-language audience.
‘As a Welsh speaker myself, it has always been one of my goals to have one of my books translated into the Welsh language, so I’m thrilled that The Last Firefox has found a home at Firefly,’ said Newbery. ‘The Welsh language is truly beginning to thrive once again in Wales and I can’t wait to see Y Llwynog Tân Olaf in bookshops, schools and libraries across the country and to be accessible to speakers and learners alike!’
Mae Penny Thomas, cyhoeddwr gyda’r wasg llyfrau plant ac oedolion ifanc Firefly Press, wedi sicrhau’r hawl gan Penguin Random House i gyhoeddi The Last Firefox, nofel gyntaf Lee Newbery. Mae hi’n nofel gyffrous, wedi’i hanelu at Gyfnod Allweddol 2, ac yn cynnwys lluniau gan Laura Catalán.
Dyma un o bedwar addasiad i’r Gymraeg fydd yn cael eu cyhoeddi gan Firefly yr hydref hwn, datblygiad newydd o bwys i’r wasg annibynnol hon, gwasg a enillodd nifer o wobrau. Mae’r tri arall yn addasiadau o lyfrau Firefly – The Clockwork Crow gan Catherine Fisher a dau lyfr ffeithiol, Fantastic Football a Rampaging Rugby gan Robin Bennett.
‘Sefydlwyd Firefly Press er mwyn cyhoeddi ffuglen dda yn Saesneg ar gyfer darllenwyr ym mhobman, ac mae hynny wedi bod yn llawer mwy llwyddiannus nag y dychmygem y byddai yn y dyddiau cynnar ddeng mlynedd yn ôl,’ meddai’r cyhoeddwr Penny Thomas. ‘Ni fydd hynny’n newid, ond mae hwn yn gam cyffrous ar ein taith, lle byddwn yn gallu cyflwyno llyfrau gwych i ddarllenwyr Cymraeg yn ogystal. Fyddai ddim posib cael dwy stori well i ddechrau’r fenter na The Last Firefox a The Clockwork Crow, a gwych ydi gallu cyflwyno hiwmor gwallgof Rampaging Rugby a Fantastic Football (gyda chyflwyniad newydd gan Manon Steffan Ros) i ddarllenwyr Cymraeg hefyd. Hoffem ddiolch i Gyngor Llyfrau Cymru am eu cefnogaeth wych i’r fenter.
‘Rydym mor falch bod Lee’n ymuno â ni ar gyfer y fersiwn Gymraeg o’i nofel gyntaf, ac yn edrych ymlaen yn arw i’w chyhoeddi yn yr hydref.’
Mae The Last Firefox yn dilyn helyntion Charlie Challinor, ac yntau wedi cael ei wneud yn warchodwr dros dro i genau llwynog tân hudol, wrth iddo ddysgu y gall fod yn ddewr ac nad ydi bywyd efallai mor ddychrynllyd ag y credai.
Crëwyd yr addasiad, Y Llwynog Tân Olaf, gan Sian Northey, a bydd yn cyflwyno Charlie, Cadno a’u ffrindiau i gynulleidfa newydd yn yr iaith Gymraeg.
‘Rwy’n siarad Cymraeg, ac mae wedi bod yn nod gen i erioed i weld un o fy llyfrau’n cael ei gyfieithu i’r Gymraeg. Dw i wrth fy modd felly bod The Last Firefox wedi cael cartref gyda Firefly,’ medd Lee Newbery. ‘Mae’r iaith Gymraeg yn dechrau ffynnu unwaith eto yng Nghymru ac mi ydw i’n edrych ymlaen i weld Y Llwynog Tân Olaf mewn siopau llyfrau, ysgolion a llyfrgelloedd ledled y wlad ac yn cael ei fwynhau gan blant o gartrefi Cymraeg a siaradwyr newydd!
Penny Thomas, publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired World rights in Bigfoot Island by Roderick O’Grady, from Abi Sparrow at the SP Agency.
The acquisition is the sequel to middle-grade tale Bigfoot Mountain – which portrays a remote and fragile North American environment where the legendary bigfoots still roam the forests. Now the harmonious natural world of Minnie, her stepfather, Dan, and young bigfoot, Kaayii, is threatened when intruders arrive by land and sea.
‘I am thrilled that Firefly is helping to continue the story of Minnie and Kaayii, as their adventures move over to Bigfoot Island,’ said O’Grady. ‘With five new characters, caves, canoes and surprises it was a joy to write.’
‘Bigfoot Mountain is a sensitive and evocative story of grief and healing in a beautifully realised natural world, and Bigfoot Island broadens and deepens this story,’ said Thomas. ‘We are delighted with this compelling sequel, which will publish in spring 2023.’
Bigfoot Island will again feature the evocative cover and internal illustrations of Jess Mason.
Praise for Bigfoot Mountain, selected for the Welsh SchoolsLoveReading project: ‘The book explores family, friendship, dealing with loss and the importance of protecting the environment. This will sweep you away to the mountains for a wild adventure.’ The Week Junior Book of the Week
‘A beautiful and engrossing tale of a mighty child, a magnificent forest and the mysteries which bind us all in the best ways – this is a rich and powerful book, a real triumph of love, wisdom and storytelling.’ Horatio Clare
‘Bigfoot Mountain transports readers into the heart of the forest and allows them to see the wild from the perspective of the beings who know it best. A skilful interweaving of modern family relationships and wilderness adventure.’ Nicola Davies
‘An innovative and moving story, filled with wonderful descriptions of the West Coast wilderness.’ Tyler Keevil
‘Bigfoot Mountain is a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read.’ Just Imagine
Firefly Press is looking to appoint an editorial assistant to work with our small Wales-based team to help us reach new and diverse audiences for our quality children’s fiction list for 5-19 year olds. The post is a fixed-term contract and could be full or part time with a mix of home and Cardiff-based office working.
The ideal candidate will have a strong, demonstrable working knowledge of, and a passion for, children’s and YA fiction. Experience in an editorial or bookselling role is an advantage but not essential. Training and support will be given, and the successful candidate will be expected to work alongside Firefly editors on all aspects of the editorial role.
For more information please email penny.thomas@fireflypress.co.uk or apply to the same address with your curriculum vitae, and a covering letter which includes potential strategies for reaching new and diverse readerships in children’s and YA fiction.
Deadline for applications – 24 August 2022
Firefly Press particularly welcomes applicants from underrepresented communities.
Firefly Press has contracted Tim Budgen to illustrate Michael the Amazing Mind-reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers, a funny and endearing tale for younger readers.
Michael’s dream is to go from being an unknown pup to a Hollywoof sensation and global superstar. But becoming famous is no walkies in the park…
Editor Leonie Lock said: ‘I immediately fell in love with Tim’s sketches of Michael, he’s absolutely captured his charm and extravagance. I’m very excited to see all of Michael’s waistcoats brought to life!’
‘I can’t wait to get started on bringing Michael and all his doggy friends to life!’ said Tim Budgen. ‘Terrie Chilvers has written a brilliantly funny story and I am thrilled to be working with her and the team at Firefly Press.’
The book is slated for publication in spring 2023.
