News Archives | Page 15 of 22

Firefly signs Fayers’ out of this world middle-grade adventure

by Firefly Admin | Sep 27, 2021 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in middle-grade sci-fi adventure Lethe by author Claire Fayers, from Gemma Cooper at The Bent Agency.

Fern and Tapper should never have met. Fern lives with her inventor dad in Swansea, the capital city of Earth. Tapper comes from a galaxy far, far away and his space submarine has only stopped at Earth for an emergency repair. But when Fern’s dad loses his memory, Fern and Tapper set off into the Lethe, one of the great rivers of space, to save him.
Lethe is a joyous, wildly imaginative mash-up of Greek myth and science fiction, full of extraordinary worlds and characters.

‘We’re long-standing fans of Claire’s work and delighted to welcome her to Firefly,’ said Thomas. ‘Lethe is a fun, fantastical adventure full of inventiveness, humour and great characters, and we can’t wait to publish it!’

Claire Fayers said: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Firefly on this fantastic voyage. The whole team has been so enthusiastic and welcoming, and I’m looking forward to the adventures ahead.’

The novel is slated for publication in 2023.

Firefly signs fiery middle-grade dragon debut

by Firefly Admin | Aug 9, 2021 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in debut MG novel Fireblood by author Sam Stewart, from Lucy Irvine at Peters Fraser and Dunlop.

Dragons don’t exist. But they used to…

In an attempt to save their father, Finn and Tula are sucked from their very familiar Bristol home into a world they never knew even existed. Discovering their father’s involvement with dragons, the siblings must help save him and the world they know, and discover the truth of their heritage.

‘Delving into dragon lore and mythology, Fireblood is a truly heart-racing adventure,’ said editor Leonie Lock. ‘The bond between Finn and Tula is so moving and Sam’s worldbuilding is exquisite. Complete with subtle nods to Welsh history and culture, this title is sure to shine on any middle-grade bookshelf.’

Sam Stewart said: ‘I’m delighted that the inspiring Firefly team has taken Fireblood under their wing. It has been years in the making, and is a story not just of flight and flame, fear and fury but of family and friendship too. It is very close to my heart. I hope the pace, magic and mystery of it will enthrall readers far and wide.’

Sam Stewart - photo copyright (c) Helen Marsden — Sam Stewart
(photo copyright Helen Marsden)

The novel is slated for publication in spring 2023.

Firefly signs amazing sausage dog tale

by Firefly Admin | Jul 23, 2021 | News

Author Terrie Chilvers with cute dog Snoop

Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in debut MG novel Michael the Amazing Mind-reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers, from Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary.

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…

Thomas said: ‘We’re delighted to secure this hilarious story. Terrie has created a real star turn in Michael and we can’t wait to bring his adventures to his fans.’

‘The whole Firefly team fell in love with Michael’s charisma and charm,’ said editor Leonie Lock. ‘And I hope he inspires a new generation to aim high.’

Terrie Chilvers said: ‘I’m really excited to be working with Firefly and can’t wait for readers to get their paws on Michael’s story. I knew Firefly were the right publisher for me when Penny’s dog kicked off our first Zoom call with some vigorous digging and snuffling off camera. Firefly have some amazing authors and illustrators on their books and I’m proud to be joining the ranks.’

The book is slated for publication in spring 2023.

Firefly signs moving middle grade on selective mutism

by Firefly Admin | Jul 15, 2021 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in Call Me Lion by Camilla Chester from Veronique Baxter at David Higham Associates.

‘I’m not stupid. I’m not weird. I’m not ill. I’m Leo. I’m Leo and I’ve just turned ten. I’m Leo, I’ve just turned ten and I still can’t talk. There are lots of things I can do. I can dance, I can understand complicated words like humiliation and catatonic and I can bounce freestyle on my trampoline. But none of this matters when you can’t talk.’

Leo loves to dance. But he thinks it’s impossible to have friends when he can’t talk. So why is Richa, the girl who has just moved in next door still trying? There’s a heatwave in Luton and it’s too hot for him to think about all of this complicated stuff. But Leo’s life is about to change…

Call Me Lion is a testament to the power of friendship, understanding, communication and expression in all its forms.

‘This is such a wonderful, bittersweet but happy book,’ said Thomas. ‘The characters bubble with life and energy, and we are delighted to be publishing their story.’

Camilla Chester said: ‘Firefly is exactly the right publisher for both myself and Call Me Lion. I feel in very safe hands and excited about the next part of our journey.’

The novel is slated for publication in summer 2022.

Firefly signs ‘funny and feisty’ middle grade about hidden homelessness

by Firefly Admin | Jul 5, 2021 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in moving MG novel Has Anyone Seen Archie Ebbs? by Simon Packham from Anne Clark at the Anne Clark Literary Agency (ACLA).

Archie Ebbs has the perfect life. Good friends, a nice home and classmates who laugh at (nearly) all his jokes. But all that is about to change. As his family lose their home and move into temporary housing, Archie has his own worries … is he really starting to become invisible?

While his older sister is determined to hide their situation from her friends, Archie finds himself disappearing. But being invisible isn’t half as much fun as it ought to be. Only with the help of his new (and also invisible) neighbour, Zofia, can he get back his beloved cat, Dinger, and start to make himself visible again.

‘More and more children in the UK live in precarious home circumstances but treating a serious subject with sometimes laugh-out-loud humour is a rare skill,’ said editor Rebecca Lloyd. ‘Archie is a brilliant, relatable and heart-warming character who carries his story with a lightness of touch that had me rooting for him from the off.’

Simon Packham said: ‘I felt that the story of hidden homelessness needed to be told and I hope that through Archie’s voice, I’ve found a way to tell it that will strike a chord with younger readers.’

The novel is slated for publication in spring 2022 with a cover design by Becka Moor.

Simon Packham

Firefly signs multi-award-winning Welsh language YA novel in translation

by Firefly Admin | Jun 15, 2021 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired UK English rights in multi-award-winning Welsh language novel The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros, from Christopher Combemale at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.

A prize-winner in three categories of the 2019 Wales Book of the Year Award and Winner of the 2018 National Eisteddfod Prose Medal, The Blue Book of Nebo (Llyfr Glas Nebo) is a spellbinding and minutely observed story of Dylan and his mother who survive the year ‘The End’ comes.

Isolated in their lonely hillside home near Nebo in north Wales, with no idea what has happened to the world they knew before it was destroyed in a devastating attack, mother and son begin to confide their experiences, memories and secrets in a notebook – the Blue Book of Nebo.

What unfolds is a compelling and intimate account of what is left behind when everyday 21 st century life vanishes; and a changing relationship as Dylan grows up in a world like no other, where he must protect his small family, and still keep his own secrets.

‘This is a subtle and beautifully told story of survival and adolescence against an eerie and unsettling backdrop, that will speak to YA and adult readers alike,’ said Thomas. ‘We are very proud to be publishing this book, which has been adapted into English by the author.’

Manon Steffan Ros said: ‘It’s an honour to be able to work with a publishing house that I have admired since its beginnings. I’m excited about sharing The Blue Book of Nebo with a new audience, and am delighted that it has found a new home with Firefly.’

The Blue Book of Nebo has so far sold in eight territories, including France, Spain, Poland, Egypt and the US. It will be publishing in the UK in PB in January 2022.

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