A children’s poetry anthology of ‘dragon-focused’ poems, conceived and edited by the National Poet of Wales, Hanan Issa, is due to hit the bookshelves next year.
The collection will be published by award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press. And the ground-breaking new anthology from diverse Welsh writers is aimed at children aged between eight and twelve, for whom both Hanan and Firefly feel poetry is ‘sorely underrepresented’.
The collection, entitled And I Hear Dragons, explores the concept of identity, and Hanan has written a poem of the same name that ‘celebrates the children of Wales as ferociously brave mythical beasts’, taking on discrimination, pollution etc, and upholding Wales’ tradition of croesawgar (welcoming).
A number of Welsh writers from diverse backgrounds across Wales have already been approached to write poems for the anthology, with contributors to be revealed in due course.
Announcing the collection, Hanan Issa said: ‘Wales has a such a rich history of poetry and I’m keen to continue encouraging that enthusiasm in the young people of Wales today. And I Here Dragons is a collection that roars in celebration of Wales’ distinct sense of identity and belonging!
Firefly publisher, Penny Thomas, added: ‘We were delighted when Hanan approached us with And I Hear Dragons! We had been trying to find a way to get a children’s poetry anthology from Wales off the ground for some time, but with Hanan’s insightful vision and knowledge of poetry from Wales, we are confident this
title will take flight and become a valuable and inspiring collection for children to enjoy and find themselves in poetry.
‘We are so looking forward to working with the National Poet and all the contributors on this.’
Hanan Issa is a writer, poet and artist, as well as the co-founder of the Where I’m Coming From open mic collective, whose debut pamphlet My Body Can House Two Hearts was published by Burning Eye Books. Her work has been performed and published on platforms such as BBC Wales, ITV Wales, Huffington Post, StAnza Festival, Poetry Wales, Wales Arts International and the British Council. Alongside her short narrative film The Golden Apple, she is currently working on an essay anthology Welsh: plural, published by Repeater Books, as well as a children’s short story contribution to Unbound’s The Mab, a retelling of the classic Mabinogi stories.
A young adult novel about schooldays in north Wales, an illustrated story for younger readers, and ‘a darkly comic tale of what it means to be alive, 17 and living in Port Talbot’ will be the first three titles in a forthcoming series of Wales-based children’s and YA literature from Firefly Press.
The first three signings in this series are Patience Agbabi, Zillah Bethell and Emma-Jane Smith-Barton. The books will publish from autumn 2024 onwards, and it is hoped that there will be at least another three in the series of contemporary Welsh children’s fiction.
‘We felt there was a lack of children’s and YA stories that reflect what it is like to live in or grow up in Wales in recent times,’ said Thomas. ‘When we approached established authors about this, we were thrilled with the hugely positive reaction from writers who may never have been asked to write about this part of their experience before! We are also looking at publishing them simultaneously in Welsh, to ensure as wide a reach as possible. All this has been made possible by New Audiences Fund from Creative Wales and the Books Council of Wales, and we can’t wait to read the results!
Born in Papua New Guinea, Zillah Bethell has lived in south Wales for many years. Patience Agbabi was born in London and attended secondary school in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, while Emma-Jane Smith-Barton is from south Wales.
Patience Agbabi is the author of four critically acclaimed poetry collections and three middle-grade novels one of which, The Infinite, (Canongate, 2020) won the Wales Book of the Year: Children & Young People category.
She said: ‘I’m delighted to be working on a young adult novel with Firefly. I first got into literature and popular culture at school in north Wales so I can’t wait to recreate that setting through my fictional protagonists.’
Emma-Jane Smith-Barton studied English and Creative Writing (BA) at the University of Warwick and has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Her short stories have appeared in various publications such as Mslexia and The Bristol Short Story Prize anthology (under a pseudonym for her adult writing), and in 2017 she was one of twelve writers chosen from over 2,000 applications for WriteNow, a scheme run by Penguin Random House to increase diversity in literature.
Her first novel, The Million Pieces of Neena Gill was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award, the Branford Boase Award and the Romantic Novelist’s Association Debut Romantic Novel Award.
Growing up between cultures in south Wales has heavily influenced her writing and she is especially interested in exploring themes of identity and belonging. Before writing, she taught in secondary schools for six years, and is passionate about increasing awareness of mental health in young people.
Emma will be writing an illustrated story for 7-9 year-old readers, set in Wales. She said: ‘As a Welsh-Pakistani woman I would have loved a book like this when I was growing up, to help me navigate the difficulties (and discover the beauty) of belonging to more than one culture, and I hope it will help children in a similar position to feel seen and less alone in that challenge.’
Zillah Bethell lives in the south Wales valleys with her partner and two children. She has written some four books for adults and four middle-grade titles for children, including The Shark Caller (Usborne 2021) which was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award.
Her as yet untitled YA novel for Firefly is set in Port Talbot, and features protagonist Apricot Jones. Zillah describes it as: ‘A darkly comic tale of what it means to be alive, 17 and living in Port Talbot!’
Firefly Press is excited to announce Firefly Ignite: a programme of free online sessions for new and aspiring writers from underrepresented backgrounds. These sessions are open to writers born, raised and/or living in Wales, and aim to demystify children’s publishing.
You can find out more about the sessions below.
Firefly Ignite: Shining a Light on…
Agents – with literary agent Anwen Hooson – Tuesday 23rd May at 7pm
Editors – with Firefly editors Penny Thomas, Rebecca F. John and Rebecca Lloyd – Monday 5th June 7pm
Authors – with authors Yvonne Banham, Claire Fayers, Luke Palmer and Alex Wharton – Monday 19th June 7pm
These sessions are perfect for those who want to write for children, teens and young adults but don’t know where to start, or what to do next. Each session will provide an introduction and insight into a different stage of publishing and share some top tips for aspiring authors. There will also be an opportunity to put your own questions to any of our guest speakers.
The Firefly Ignite programme is eligible to writers who are currently underrepresented in children’s publishing. This includes (but is not limited to) LGBTQ+ writers, writers of colour, writers from working-class backgrounds, neurodiverse writers, writers from ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, and writers with a disability/ illness. We ask that you self-identify and do not ask that you prove your eligibility.
All events are free and will be held on Zoom. The sessions will be in English, but we welcome both Welsh and English language writers to join. Unfortunately, as Firefly does not publish picture books, we will not be discussing books for this age group.
As our award-winning children’s fiction list expands, Firefly has some exciting new opportunities in children’s publishing.
Please apply with a cv and covering letter to Penny Thomas at penny.thomas@fireflypress.co.uk Closing date April 21st.
Sales, Marketing and Rights Manager (Hybrid or remote working considered) Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
We are looking for a dynamic, experienced manager with a remit and scope to drive business development at Firefly and contribute to its future growth in its tenth year of publishing. You will be responsible for running a small, busy sales and marketing department to promote our award-winning quality children’s fiction list.
As Firefly’s Sales, Marketing and Rights Manager your responsibilities will include: – managing the sales, marketing, rights teams – overseeing the delivery of effective sales and marketing strategies for growth in print, backlist, audio and ebook sales – managing budgets and funding – organising and attending trade fairs and other events – working with the rights agent on growing rights and licensing opportunities.
Marketing and Publicity officer (Hybrid or remote working considered) £26,000 to £28,000 depending on experience
As Marketing and Publicity Officer you will be part of a team responsible for creating and delivering innovative and effective marketing and publicity campaigns for Firefly’s quality children’s fiction titles.
This will include: – working with authors, trade, press, festivals and reading promotion agencies – supplying advance information and metadata to trade – representing Firefly at events.
You will be experienced in using social media platforms and will have previous experience in sales, marketing and/or publicity, preferably in a children’s publishing environment. You will be deadline focused and have strong organisational and communication skills.
Assistant to the Publisher (Office based or hybrid. Full-time or part-time considered) £24,000 pro rata
You will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Firefly office in south Wales; assisting the Publisher and other staff.
Duties will include: – assisting the Publisher and other staff with administration (including some HR responsibilities) – coordinating author events – liaising with the Books Council of Wales and other reading promotion organisations – fulfilling orders – coordinating stock movement – assisting with website content, newsletters and mailouts as required
You will have relevant experience, great organisational and communication skills, the ability to work to deadlines in a busy environment, and a keen interest in publishing children’s books. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable, but not essential.
Firefly Press is a committed equal opportunities employer and employs people on the basis of their abilities. Positions are open to all suitably qualified candidates, and we welcome applicants from a diverse base, regardless of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.
For more information and a full job description on all posts, please email Penny Thomas at penny.thomas@fireflypress.co.uk
A stunning post-apocalyptic novel from north Wales has reached the shortlist for the prestigious Yoto Carnegie Medal for writing, it was announced today (Friday March 17th)
Originally published in Welsh as Llyfr Glas Nebo, and adapted into English by the author, Manon Steffan Ros, The Blue Book of Nebo is a beautifully crafted story of a mother and son who have survived The End – when the lights went out and the everyday 21st century world they knew disappeared.
Manon said: ‘I am truly honoured that The Blue Book of Nebo has been shortlisted for the Carnegie. This prize is one that is particularly close to my heart, as I can remember being a young bookworm, enchanted by stories, and noticing that so many of my favourite books carried the word Carnegie on the cover, either as winners or having been shortlisted. I had no idea what it meant – or indeed how to pronounce it – but it became the mark of a good book for me, a sure stamp of something I knew I’d love. To think that my own book now boasts the word on its cover is such a privilege – I still can’t quite believe it!’
And the Carnegie shortlisting is a first for award-winning independent publisher Firefly Press, based in South Wales.
Firefly Press Publisher Penny Thomas said: ‘We are so delighted that the judges have selected The Blue Book of Nebo for this hugely respected shortlist. It is such a powerful novel, deeply moving and yet simply told, with a resonance that reverberates with readers long after the last page.
‘Firefly received four Carnegie nominations this year which is a huge achievement for our small, quality children’s fiction list, and we’d like to congratulate all the authors and illustrators on their achievement! These nominations are a testament to the creative power in Welsh children’s fiction at present.’
Praise for The Blue Book of Nebo:
‘A gentle, yet powerful read about how we live and what we pay attention to.’ TheIrish Times.
‘A tender, tragic, post-apocalyptic story, told with great simplicity and power.’ Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian
‘Simply wonderful, beautifully conceived, written and observed. A story infused with warning and sober hope.’ Nicola Davies
‘I loved the fragile, tender heart of this story. Beneath the bleak exterior the relationship between a mother and her children glows with respect and compassion,’ Zillah Bethell
‘An unforgettable story about survival – the survival of a language, a culture, and all of humanity.’ Francesca Rhydderch
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in Young Adult novel PLAY by Carnegie-longlisted and Branford Boase shortlisted poet and novelist Luke Palmer, from Jane Finnigan at Lutyens & Rubinstein Literary Agency.
An intensely gripping and masterly YA novel about the fates of four boys, as they navigate friendships and growing up in small town England. Where Palmer’s debut novel Grow (Firefly Press, 2021) explored far-right radicalisation, PLAYlooks at adolescent male friendships and modern-day masculinity through the lens of four very different boys and the ‘games’ they play.
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. He quickly realises that the penalties in this game far outweigh the prizes on offer. And now he really is trapped. Will Mark find a way out before someone loses more than just face?
‘PLAY is a confident and deeply impressive second novel from an outstanding writer, ’ said editor Penny Thomas. ‘Luke takes us deep into the ‘games’ of his characters as they map out more or less dangerous routes through their secondary school days, in what is a fine exploration of modern-day masculinity.’
Luke Palmer said: ‘I’m delighted to once again be working with Penny and the team at Firefly to bring Play into the world. It’s a novel about boyhood and male friendship that’s really important to me and it’s a privilege to find people who are as excited about it as I am. I’m staggered by the reception that Grow received, recognised by the YOTO Carnegie, Branford Boase and UKLA Awards, and hope that readers might like this one, too.’
The title is slated for publication in October 2023.
