Penny Thomas, publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World rights to FISHFOLK, a strikingly original and evocative middle-grade novelby Steven Quincey-Jones, from Amy St Johnston at Aitken Alexander.
Written in an authentic and innovative voice and with stunning linocut illustrations, FISHFOLK is the tale of two girls and their battle to survive the sea, the evil fishfolk, and the truth and lies that threaten to engulf them.
The High-and-Dry is a windswept land that is being fast lost to the ever- growing sea. The only things left are seagulls, seaweed, twins Luna and Oona, and their Grandad Mull. Luna and Oona have grown up listening to Grandad Mull’s stories about the dastardly shape-shifting fishfolk who live in the sea and cause the waves to swallow the shore with their spells. Storms sent by the fishfolk are the reason why Grandad Mull is all that is left of their family, he says. But when Luna and Oona meet a fishfolk for real, Luna begins to question her grandfather’s stories, much to Oona’s confusion.
Penny Thomas said: ‘Fishfolk is an enthralling and dramatic middle-grade read from a thrilling new voice in children’s fiction. Like all good fables, it feels both historical and futuristic, but the adventures of twins Luna and Oona will resonate deeply with young readers now.’
Steven Quincey-Jones said: ‘It’s been such a delight to work with Firefly on my first novel. I suppose the book is a work of climate fiction, only set 8,000 years ago, and featuring a magical, mystical race of sea creatures known as the Fishfolk … I hope the readers enjoy exploring this strange, ancient world as much as I did writing about it.’