Firefly News
Firefly signs next instalment in sausage dog young fiction series
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Michael the...
We’re hiring! Assistant Designer (Maternity Cover). Deadline October 23rd.
An exciting opportunity for an experienced or up-and-coming designer to work at award-winning independent children’s book publisher, Firefly Press....
Firefly signs sweeping YA romantasy steeped in Indian folklore
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World English Language rights to YA romantasy This...
Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog selected for The Blue Peter Book Club
The news is finally out! Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog, written by Terrie Chilvers and illustrated by Tim Budgen, has been...
Children’s Laureate of Wales Alex Wharton returns with a ‘how to’ poetry collection for readers 9-12
A new book from the Children’s Laureate Wales, Alex Wharton is aiming to encourage a new generation of budding poets and lyricists. An innovative...
Clarke’s The Travelling School Mysteries returns with a journey to the glamorous Manhattan heights
Penny Thomas, publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired world English rights in Libby and the Manhattan...
Happy publication day to Cracking Cricket!
Hard on the heels of an awesome Ashes series, Firefly is delighted to bring you the third in its Stupendous Sports series: Cracking...
Firefly commissions translation of multi-authored YA novel The Five
Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired World English rights in prize-winning, co-created YA novel The...
The Blue Book of Nebo wins the Carnegie!
Stunning YA novel The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros and published by Firefly Press, has today won the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing....
New-look team at Firefly Press
Award-winning indie children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has appointed four new staff members as it expands the business in its tenth year of...
Firefly signs dark, reality-TV-based thriller, perfect for fans of The Traitors
Ten strangers trapped in a television studio. Forty-two remote cameras. Five dead bodies. One rule: Trust no one. Penny Thomas, Publisher at...
…And I Hear Dragons: new children’s poetry anthology to celebrate diversity and identity in Wales
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...
Firefly to publish new children’s fiction series from Wales
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...
FIREFLY PRESS LAUNCHES PROGRAMME FOR NEW WRITERS FROM WALES
Firefly Press is excited to announce Firefly Ignite: a programme of free online sessions for new and aspiring writers from underrepresented...
Join our sales and marketing team! Deadline April 21st.
As our award-winning children’s fiction list expands, Firefly has some exciting new opportunities in children’s publishing. Please apply with a cv...
Welsh YA novel SHORTLISTED for the Yoto Carnegie Medal
A stunning post-apocalyptic novel from north Wales has reached the shortlist for the prestigious Yoto Carnegie Medal for writing, it was announced...
Firefly signs Palmer’s gripping YA deep dive into modern-day masculinity and male friendship, PLAY
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.
‘Simply wonderful’ novel longlisted for Yoto Carnegie medal
Manon Steffan Ros’ beautiful young adult novel, The Blue Book of Nebo, has been longlisted for a 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, after...
We’re hiring! Children’s Book Editor, deadline 24th Feb
Firefly Press is an award-winning independent publisher of quality fiction for five to nineteen year olds, based in south Wales. We are shortly...
Archie and Leo join the Reading for Empathy collection 2023!
Empathy is a superpower, and there's no better way to share this than through stories. Whether it's making a boy visible again after his family...
We’re hiring! Business Manager and Bookkeeper posts, deadline 20th Feb
Business Manager Full time or four days pro rata; £30,000 to 35,000, salary commensurate with experience. Hybrid working a possibility.We are...
Firefly starts off 2023 with shortlisting for the Lollies and James Reckitt Hull awards
Daydreams, missing identity, and a villain in an ice-cream van have all helped start the New Year off with a bang for Firefly, with no fewer than...
Firefly signs Chloë Heuch’s memorable and vibrant MG novel A History of My Weird
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World rights in middle-grade novel A History of My...
FOUR Yoto Carnegie nominations for Welsh indie Firefly Press
Welsh independent publisher Firefly Press has received a bumper FOUR nominations for the 2023 Yoto Carnegies.The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan...
Lucy Mohan joins award-winning indie team at Firefly
Lucy Mohan Magazine editor and bookseller Lucy Mohan is to join Welsh indie Firefly Press in a new role as editorial assistant, with a remit to...
Creaduriaid chwedlonol a chwaraeon mwdlyd – Gwasg Firefly yn lansio cyfres o deitlau Cymraeg i blant
Mae addasiad Cymraeg o nofel gyntaf gyffrous Lee Newbery, The Last Firefox (Y Llwynog Tân Olaf), yn arwain pedwarawd o deitlau a gyhoeddir yr hydref...
Mythical creatures and muddy sports – Firefly Press launches first series of titles in Welsh for children
A Welsh language adaptation of Lee Newbery’s blazing debut novel, The Last Firefox (Y Llwynog Tân Olaf), leads a quartet of titles published this...
Wonderfully weird story wins Firefly Welsh fiction competition
From Welsh women pirates to dystopian Cardiff blood-drinkers, Firefly Press’s New Children’s Fiction from Wales competition attracted some...
Firefly signs second poetry collection from Alex Wharton
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in middle-grade poetry collection for...
Firefly cofounder Janet Thomas moves from Editor to board
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...
Firefly Press to publish Welsh adaptation of Newbery’s blazing debut
Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired Welsh rights to The Last Firefox, a thrilling middle-grade debut...
Firefly Press yn cyhoeddi addasiad Cymraeg o nofel gyntaf eirias Lee Newbery
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...
Firefly signs compelling nature middle grade sequel, Bigfoot Island
Firefly Press have contracted Tim Budgen to illustrate Michael the Amazing Mind-reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers.
We’re hiring! Editorial Assistant: New Audiences post, deadline 24th August
Editorial Assistant: New Audiences Firefly Press is looking to appoint an editorial assistant to work with our small Wales-based team to help us...
Tim Budgen to illustrate Terrie Chilver’s amazing Sausage Dog tale
Firefly Press have contracted Tim Budgen to illustrate Michael the Amazing Mind-reading Sausage Dog by Terrie Chilvers.
Firefly signs two middle-grade translations from award-winning Welsh language author
Author Manon Steffan Ros Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired World English rights in two middle-grade...
Firefly Press signs breathtaking WWII verse novel
Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth (exc. Can) rights in Digging for Victory, an...
Firefly Press signs thrilling mythical island adventure
Author, Beatrice Wallbank Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights to The Sleeping Stones, an...
Costa-shortlisted author Rebecca F. John to join Firefly as Senior Editor
Acclaimed novelist Rebecca F. John is to join Firefly Press in a new role as Senior Editor this autumn. Her appointment coincides with Firefly’s...
Firefly Press signs sparkling sequel to Major and Mynah
Karen Owen Louise Forshaw Leonie Lock, Editor at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World rights for Major and Mynah 2 (title...
Firefly joins Welsh Government’s book-gifting scheme
Community groups and food banks across Wales have added children’s books to the list of resources and support they are able to provide for families...
Firefly signs Kate Mallinder’s summer feel-good follow-up
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in non-fiction title Fantastic Football, the second instalment in the Stupendous Sports series by author Robin Bennett.
Firefly launches competition to find new children’s fiction from Wales
Award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has launched a competition to find the best new stories for children and young adults,...
Firefly signs second Stupendous Sports title: Fantastic Football
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in non-fiction title Fantastic Football, the second instalment in the Stupendous Sports series by author Robin Bennett.
2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal Longlist for Grow by Luke Palmer
Huge congratulations to Luke Palmer, whose hard-hitting YA debut Grow has been longlisted for the 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal!
With snowy mountains and forged paintings, The Travelling School Mysteries journey to the Highlands
Janet Thomas, Editor at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired world English rights in Libby and the Highland Heist, the second installment in The Travelling School Mysteries by author Jo Clarke, from Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary.
Firefly signs new Eloise Williams historical MG
Eloise Williams, author Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights...
Firefly Press signs passionate middle grade on standing up and speaking out
Maggie Horne, author of Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One Leonie Lock, Editor at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and...
New and reviewed from Firefly Press
With the holiday season nearly upon us, we first of all want to thank you all for supporting books, authors and publishers year-round. Before we all...
Cyber books for Cyber Monday
SHOP NOW Ant Clancy, Games Detective by Ruth Morgan Ray-Chay is the new virtual reality game that everyone’s playing and the world loves its...
Four Firefly titles available to read online for a limited time, in celebration of COP26 Glasgow
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. In celebration, from...
Song Day
Thanks to everyone who attended the launch of The Song That Sings Us by Nicola Davies… on the first-ever Song Day (October 14th).
Dark forces are destroying nature. Those with the ability to listen to animal thoughts stand in their way. Who will triumph in this epic conflict?
Firefly joins Publishers Association’s sustainability pledge
Firefly Press is proud to be among the 39 founding signatories to the Publishers Association’s Publishing Declares sustainability pledge.
The purpose of Publishing Declares is to raise awareness of the sustainability issues most relevant to the UK book and journal publishing industry; to aid the discovery of existing tools and resources and to inspire action that results in sustained behaviour change.
Firefly signs Fayers’ out of this world middle-grade adventure
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.
Firefly signs fiery middle-grade dragon debut
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.
Firefly signs amazing sausage dog tale
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.
Firefly signs moving middle grade on selective mutism
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...
Firefly signs ‘funny and feisty’ middle grade about hidden homelessness
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in moving MG novel Has...
Firefly signs multi-award-winning Welsh language YA novel in translation
Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired UK English rights in multi-award-winning Welsh language novel The...
Louise Forshaw to illustrate Karen Owen’s ‘Major and Mynah’
Firefly Press have contracted Louise Forshaw to illustrate Major and Mynah by Karen Owen, slated for publication in summer 2022. Karen Owen,...
Stunning environmental adventure by Nicola Davies to launch in hardback with Jackie Morris cover
"When animals speak, it’s time humans listened" Firefly Press is publishing The Song that Sings Us, an epic environmental adventure novel byrenowned...
Firefly signs ‘dark and dangerous’ MG debut
Yvonne Banham, Author Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in debut MG...
Diverse creatives: call out for submissions
Firefly Press is welcoming submissions from illustrators from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. As well as searching for new...
Firefly acquires debut middle-grade by Daniel Peak
Penny Thomas has acquired world rights in LITTLE HORROR by award-winning TV writer Daniel Peak, from Abi Sparrow at SP Agency. Rita may be...
Firefly spreads its wings with new staff members
This spring, we're growing our small team with three new appointments... Children's book illustrator Becka Moor joined us as a designer...
Firefly signs haunting collection from Catherine Fisher
Penny Thomas has acquired world rights in The Red Gloves and Other Stories by Catherine Fisher from Lesley Pollinger at Paper Lion....
Royal Mail honour Children’s Laureate Wales, Eloise Williams
Eloise Williams with her Gaslight postbox. Photo credit: SWNS for Royal Mail To mark World Book Day 2021 (Thursday 4 March), Royal Mail has unveiled...
Immortalise your dog with Shoo Rayner’s Dog Drawing Marathon
Shoo Rayner's new book, Walker and the Mystery of the Missing Millions is out on 25th March. To celebrate, Shoo is doing a Dog Drawing...
Firefly signs sequel to WWII middle-grade Flight by Vanessa Harbour
Firefly publisher, Penny Thomas, has acquired world rights in Safe from author Vanessa Harbour, a sequel to Branford Boase Award...
We’re hiring! Sales and Marketing Officer post, deadline 1st March
Sales and Marketing Officer – Flexible part time (from three days per week) or full time Working from the Firefly office or from home as required....
Firefly signs debut children’s novel by Rebecca F. John
‘I am over the moon to finally be working with Firefly – a publisher I have admired from afar for the longest time. I can’t wait to share the world...
Firefly acquires detective story featuring hard of hearing protagonist
Firefly Press has acquired world rights in Major and Mynah, a junior detective story featuring a hard of hearing protagonist, by...
Firefly acquires rights for The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith sequel
Middle Grade adventure The Ten Riddles of Eartha Quicksmith debuted in 2020 and featured riddles for puzzle lovers hidden within the...
We’re hiring! Come and join the Firefly Team – two posts available
Do you want to be part of a growing, award-winning, independent children's publisher? We're looking for two new team members to join Firefly Press,...
Firefly acquires debut middle-grade from book blogger Jo Clarke
Firefly Press has acquired World English rights for the debut middle-grade detective story Libby and the Parisian Puzzle by popular book...
Permissions policy for educators and librarians: Jan-Feb 2021
PLEASE NOTE: This policy has now been extended until the end of July 2021.
Savage Sports series: Firefly Press nets its first non-fiction
As reported in The Bookseller today, Firefly have acquired world rights for Robin Bennett's Stupendous Sports series for 7-11 year olds, which kicks...
Rising Stars Wales Award 2021: Call out for submissions
We're delighted to partner with Literature Wales and launch a call out for submissions for the next Rising Stars Wales Award 2021, the second round...
Daydreams and Jellybeans Competition Winners Announced
Earlier this month, poet Alex Wharton announced a brilliant competition for 7-11 year olds to join in the fun around his forthcoming poetry...
Firefly Acquires Compelling YA Romance by Josie Williams
Firefly Press are delighted to announce the acquisition of a moving and compelling YA romance by Josie Williams. Firefly acquired UK and...
Writing Competition: Daydream Opportunity for Budding Poets
‘Have fun with your writing, be open to ideas, open to dreams - and your poem will find you.'Alex Wharton Poet Alex Wharton is calling on...
Katy Riddell to Illustrate Daydreams and Jellybeans by Alex Wharton
Firefly are delighted to announce that talented illustrator Katy Riddell will be partnering with poet Alex Wharton on his debut poetry collection...
2020 Submissions Window Announcement
We are very excited to announce that we will be holding a submissions window
Upcoming Titles Flying in from Firefly Press
As you may have seen we have revealed our stunning autumn 2020 covers. From an exhilarating new fantasy debut to the third instalment of the Clockwork Crow trilogy, this year’s upcoming titles promise to have something for everyone:
Firefly Celebrates Empathy Day 2020: Read Connect Act
In recent weeks we’ve all seen how empathy is more important than ever, to help us listen to and understand others, enable us to help those in need,...
Firefly Signs Second Crater Lake Book from Jennifer Killick
Firefly publisher, Penny Thomas, has acquired World rights in a second Crater Lake novel by popular middle-grade author Jennifer Killick, from...
Firefly Acquires Powerful YA Debut by Luke Palmer
Firefly publisher, Penny Thomas, has acquired World rights in Grow, a tense and compelling YA novel by debut author Luke Palmer, from Jane...
Elen’s Island by Eloise Williams Features on BBC2’s Great British Menu
Elen's Island by Children's Laureate Wales Eloise Williams featured in this week's Great British Menu where the inspiration for dishes is drawn from...
Firefly Hires Leonie Lock as Assistant Editor
With thanks to Books Council Wales' funding, Firefly have created a new, part-time Assistant Editor role to expand the existing team. We're...
Get Creative with Firefly’s Eggtastic Competition
You could win a Firefly book of your choice with our eggtastic Easter competition! Just let your imagination fly and create an egg to scramble our...
Rebel with a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring: Blog Tour coming soon!
To celebrate the release of Rebel with a Cupcake on 2nd April, YA author Anna Mainwaring will feature in a week-long tour with these fantastic...
We’ve won! Firefly named Small Press of the Year: Wales 2020
The British Book Awards, otherwise know as The Nibbies, are run by The Bookseller each year to highlight and celebrate the best of the book trade in...
We’re hiring: Firefly are seeking an Assistant Editor
Award-winning children’s publisher Firefly Press is looking for a part-time Assistant Editor, to start Spring 2020. The successful candidate will...
US Rights Sales for World War II middle-grade novel Flight by Vanessa Harbour
Branford Boase Award longlisted title Flight by Vanessa Harbour has sold to Liz Szabla at Feiwel & Friends / Macmillan Children’s Publishing...
Firefly acquires first poetry collection from Welsh poet Alex Wharton
We are over the moon to announce that we have acquired world rights in our first poetry collection for children, Daydreams and Jellybeans by South...
Firefly acquires Monster Max book by Robin Bennett
We are thrilled to announce that we have acquired World English rights in a hilarious and fast-paced adventure story for 7-9s, Monster Max and the...
Firefly acquires new feel-good teen novel from Kate Mallinder
We are delighted to announce that we have acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in Asking for a Friend by Kate...
Eloise Williams named first Children’s Laureate Wales
Huge congratulations to Firefly author Eloise Williams who has been selected as the first Children's Laureate Wales (2019-2021). This new national...
Inaugural Rising Stars Wales Award 2020
New initiative launched to find talented children’s poets from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds based in Wales. If you write poetry for...
US Auction for Magical Catherine Fisher MG Novels
Award-winning MG novel The Clockwork Crow and sequel The Velvet Fox by Catherine Fisher, published by Firefly...