Manon Steffan Ros’ beautiful young adult novel, The Blue Book of Nebo, has been longlisted for a 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, after publisher Firefly Press received a bumper FOUR nominations for this year’s Carnegies. *

The Blue Book of Nebo, adapted by the author from her award-winning Welsh novel Llyfr Glas Nebo, is a deeply moving, post-apocalyptic story of a mother and son’s survival and relationship after a nuclear fallout, set in north Wales. Described as ‘a gentle, yet powerful read about how we live and what we pay attention to’ by the Irish Times.

Dylan was six when The End came, back in 2018; when the electricity went off for good, and the ‘normal’ 21st-century world he knew disappeared. Now he’s 14 and he and his mam have survived in their isolated hilltop house above the village of Nebo in north-west Wales, learning new skills, and returning to old ways of living. Despite their close understanding, the relationship between mother and son changes subtly as Dylan must take on adult responsibilities. And they each have their own secrets, which emerge as, in turn, they jot down their thoughts and memories win a found notebook – the Blue Book of Nebo.

Firefly Press Publisher Penny Thomas says: ‘We were stunned to receive four Carnegie nominations this year, and we are really delighted that the Carnegie judges have now longlisted The Blue Book of Nebo. This is a very fine, moving novel, beautifully adapted from its original Welsh by the author, and we feel it deserves every success!’

‘The Blue Book of Nebo is simply wonderful. Beautifully conceived, written and observed. A story infused with warning and sober hope.’ Nicola Davies

Manon says: ‘I’m absolutely honoured. The Carnegie especially means a great deal to me as I can remember seeing the word on the cover of some of my favourite books when I was younger and learning to recognise it as a sign of a great read!’

*Other Firefly titles nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal this year were:

The Song that Sings Us by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jackie Morris, which was nominated for both the Yoto Carnegie Medals for Writing and Illustration, respectively

The Red Gloves by Catherine Fisher , which was nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing

Firefly Press is an award-winning independent publisher of quality fiction for five to nineteen year olds, based in south Wales. We are shortly celebrating our tenth anniversary. We are looking for an experienced children’s book editor to join our small, dedicated team.

You will have a proven track record in editing chapter books, middle-grade and YA titles. You will have several years’ industry experience of working with authors on structural editing as well as copyediting and proofreading. You will have impeccable grammar, attention to detail and excellent deadline-keeping skills.

You will be involved in commissioning and project management across the list. You will also be working with sales and marketing on advance sales and rights materials and representing Firefly at trade and other events as required.

Children’s Book Editor
– Hybrid or remote working considered
– Competitive salary commensurate with experience
– This is a permanent role
– Full time or four days pro rata
– Closing date: 24th February 23

For more information or to apply please send a C.V. and covering letter to penny.thomas@fireflypress.co.uk by the closing date.

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 aim to attract applicants from a diverse base, regardless of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.

Business Manager

Full time or four days pro rata; £30,000 to 35,000, salary commensurate with experience. Hybrid working a possibility.

We are looking for a dynamic, experienced publishing business manager to take on a varied remit with the scope to drive business development at Firefly. Your responsibilities will include managing the sales, marketing and rights teams, and promoting the development of new opportunities in these areas; organising Firefly’s presence at trade fairs; working with the Publisher on business promotion, budgets, targets, royalties, and grant support. Reporting to the Publisher, you will work with a small team of committed staff to maximise the potential of Firefly’s quality fiction and non-fiction lists. 

This will include: 
– Working with sales, marketing and design to developing new sales opportunities for front and backlist titles within the UK and overseas trade markets and into the non-trade direct and special sales markets
– Managing the sales, marketing and rights team
– Developing rights and licensing opportunities
– Overseeing traditional rights sales 
– Organising Firefly’s presence, at, and attending, trade fairs
– Working with the publisher on budgets, targets, royalties, sales data and grant support
– Working with the publisher and staff on business and marketing strategies for Firefly’s continued growth.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter to Penny Thomas:
penny.thomas@fireflypress.co.uk

The closing date for this position is 20th February 2023.