Looking ahead


In tomorrow’s daily edition of The Bookseller, two burgeoning indie publishers reveal their hopes for this year’s fair


Pounder signs up for Ibbotson sequel


Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) is to publish a 25th anniversary follow-up to Eva Ibbotson’s classic The Secret of Platform 13, writen by Witch Wars author Sibéal Pounder. The sequel will kick off a range of Ibbotson publishing in the run-up to the centenary of the author’s birth. Lucy Pearse, MCB senior editor 6+, commissioned Beyond Platform 13 in a world rights deal struck with The Bent Agency’s Gemma Cooper (on behalf of Pounder) and Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown (on behalf of the Ibbotson estate). The book, due out on 3rd October in the UK, will be illustrated by Beatriz Castro, best known for her work on Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor. A 25th anniversary edition of Ibbotson’s original, also illustrated by Castro, will be released at the same time. Pounder said: “I grew up reading Eva’s wonderful work, so to be asked to revisit the


world of ...Platform 13 has been surreal and truly magical. She was an incredibly special writer and woman who filled her work with innovative humour and heart. I hope I can do her proud.”


Ibbotson was born in Vienna in


EVA IBBOTSON’S THE SECRET OF PLATFORM 13 IS TO BE REVIVED IN A SEQUEL


1925 to well-to-do Jewish parents who moved to Britain shortly aſter Hitler came to power in Germany. She initially wrote adult novels, issuing seven in her career, and published the first of her 18 kids’ book at the age of 50. The Secret of Platform 13 was released in 1994. In July, Macmillan will re-release three of Ibbotson’s adult novels (The Morning Giſt, The Secret Countess and A Song for Summer) with introduc- tions from long-time fans. MCB also plans to hold 20th-anniversary celebrations for Ibbotson’s prize- winning Middle Grade title Journey to the River Sea in 2021. Reporting Tom Tivnan


Martial arts and superpowers for OUP


Début Oxford University Press has acquired four books in a martial arts-inspired young fiction series, and six books about Kitty,


a girl with cat-like superpowers. Senior commissioning editor Helen Mortimer acquired world rights


Double series signing


to Warrior Monkeys, by début author Mary Stevens and illustrator Steve Brown, from The Bright Agency. The series features brave monkey duo Suki and Bekko, who are determined to become true Warrior Monkeys. Stevens, a karate and jiu-jitsu instructor, runs a charity that encourages girls in developing countries to use martial arts to boost confidence. Meanwhile, senior commissioning editor Clare Whitston bought


world rights to Paula Harrison and illustrator Jenny Løvlie’s Kitty series from Felicity Trew at the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. OUP has sold the books—centred around “girl by day, cat by night and always ready for adventure” Kitty—into nine languages.


HarperCollins Children’s Books (HCCB) will next year publish a series of books based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s Te Secret Garden to tie in with its upcoming film adaptation. In spring 2020 the publisher will


JACK THORNE CENTRE IS WRITING THE SECRET GARDEN ADAPTATION


HarperCollins inks Secret Garden tie-in


TheBookseller.com


release a novelisation of the film, a sticker book, and a gift edition of the novel with illustrations and stills from the film. Te adaptation is being produced by David Heyman of Heyday Films and StudioCanal, is written by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child co-writer Jack Torne, and stars Julie Walters and Colin Firth. It is due to be released next spring. Kate Burns, colour publisher


at HCCB, bought world rights from Yann Le Prado, head of catalogue at StudioCanal. HCCB executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Studio Canal on the publishing for David Heyman’s inspired new interpretation… We will plan a sumptuous, beautifully produced programme to bring this enchanting story to a new audience.” Te Secret Garden, first published in 1911, is about a girl called Mary who finds a hidden garden in the grounds of her uncle’s house. Te new film moves the story to 1947, on the eve of partition in India.


Ghost sighted in Stoke Barrington Stoke has acquired a “super readable” First World War story by Emma Carroll about siblings who find an ancient burial chamber. Editorial director Ailsa Bathgate bought world rights to The Ghost Garden from Jodie Hodges at United Agents, and will publish in 2020. Carroll said: “I’ve wanted to work with Barrington Stoke for some time, having seen first-hand the impact of its brilliantly curated books on children for whom reading is a challenge.”


Ink Road sells teen car-crash tale into Italy


Début Ink Road, the YA imprint of Scottish


indie Black & White, has sold Italian rights to Nina de Pass’ début The Year After You. Rights manager Janne Moller concluded a deal with Sperling & Kupfer, via Il Caduceo Agenzia Letteraria. De Pass’ tale of “grief, guilt and empathy” is about a California teenager who survives a car crash in which her best friend dies. Greene & Heaton’s Laura Williams origi- nally sold world rights to B&W.


05


European lists get in Te Loop with Chicken House


Début Chicken House has sold Ben Oliver’s YA sci-fi


trilogy The Loop into five territo- ries, with rights snapped up in Spain and Italy on just the pitch and a partial manuscript. Oliver’s début follows Luka, who has been wrongfully imprisoned inside The Loop, a futuristic equivalent of Death Row, where young offenders await execu- tion. The title has been sold into France, the US and the Czech Republic, and will be published by Chicken House Germany.


Daykin’s rainforest tale picked up by Faber Faber Children’s will publish Chloe Daykin’s third novel this July, after buying world rights from Catherine Clarke at Felicity Bryan Associates in a two-book deal. Fire Girl, Forest Boy, set in the Peruvian rainforest, is the story of two children: one is running away, and the other is running home. Editor Stella Paskins said: “The characters are on a physical journey and also a journey of the soul, as modern-world corruption collides with ancient beliefs.”

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