Another Darley Anderson Agency debut!
The Agency is delighted to announce a two book deal for a brand new author – Phil Earle, to Shannon Park at Puffin. BEING BILLY follows the story of fifteen year old Billy, a “lifer” who has been living in a local authority home since he was six, along with his younger twin brother and sister. After an unsuccessful foster placement, it seems that his mother may now be in a position to look after her children again. The problem his she only wants to the twins, not Billy. Leaving him without the only real family he’s ever known…
Shannon Park said” The voice that Phil has created for Billy gets right inside the readers head. Its direct, raw and at times heartbreaking but always filled with searing honesty. We’re proud to include this on our Fiction Puffin Loves list and introduce Phil- a wonderfully talented debut writer _ to teenage readers in 2011”
Congratulations Phil from all of us here at the Agency!
New two book deal for Michelle Harrison
The Agency is delighted to announce a further two book deal for Michelle Harrison, to Venetia Gosling at Simon & Schuster. The first novel will be The Thirteen Wards, continuing the story of The Thirteen Treasures and The Thirteen Curses (January 2010). The second will be a spine tingling paranormal stand alone novel.
It’s been a busy time for Michelle. Thirteen Treasures has been nominated for the Heart of Hawick Children’s Book Award 2010 and also long listed for the Manchester Book Award. Rights were recently sold to Romania for Thirteen Treasures which brings Michelle’s tally up to fourteen languages.
Congratulations to Michelle from all of us here at the Agency!
Two book deal for debut author
We are delighted to announce a two book deal for debut author Jenna Burtenshaw, to Hannah Sheppard at Headline. Wintercraft is the first book in a supernatural fantasy series that is expertly drawn and completely involving.
Hannah commented “I’m so excited that Headline is going to be publishing WINTERCRAFT. When I read the submission I found myself drawn into the world that Jenna has so skillfully created and was utterly absorbed in the adventures of Kate, a young girl who discovers that she is one of the Skilled, a person connected to the spirit world and in command of untold powers. But this discovery brings her face to face with the High Council’s most feared soldier – the infamous Silas Dane.
I have no doubt that this compelling and dark fantasy will take the YA world by storm.’
Wintercraft publishes in May 2010. Congratulations to Jenna!
Congratulations to Adrienne Kress!
Great news about Adrienne Kress who has won the Heart of Hawick Children's Book Award 2009.
More than 700 children voted for their favourite book and Adrienne was the winner with Alex and The Wigpowder Treasure.
Congratulations to Adrienne from all of us at the Agency.
Secrets at St. Jude's; New Girl
The second in Carmen Reid’s sparkling teenage series Secrets at St Jude’s; New Girl is now out in book stores.
And Random House Children's Books are delighted to have signed up two further books in the series.
“The first book has been a great success and we're looking forward to building on that and developing Carmen's books as a real teen must-have - just like that perfect pair of shoes!” said Carmen’s editor Kelly Hurst.
Bestseller in Germany
Wonderful news from Germany! The Mapmakers Monster’s; Beware of the Buffalogre is on the children’s list of "Spiegel", Germany’s biggest newsweekly, at No.15 in the bestseller charts.
Rob’s second book The Mapmakers Monsters; Vampanther Attack! is out now featuring more maps, madness and mayhem.
Michelle Harrison wins Waterstones book prize
We are delighted to announce that Michelle Harrison has won the Waterstones Book prize with her debut novel The Thirteen Treasures.
The announcement was made at an evening ceremony at Waterstones Piccadilly, on 18th February. As well as a £5,000 cash prize, she receives the promise of ongoing commitment from Waterstones 320 nationwide branches. Michelle spent seven years writing the novel which was inspired by images of fairies that her tutor showed her during her illustration course.
"These weren’t your typical fairies; they were dark and sinister and that was when I had the idea to write about a girl who could see fairies," says Michelle who has also illustrated the book. And there is an added sweetness in winning a prize that is voted for by booksellers as Michelle is an ex Ottakers bookseller herself.
She says “I am thrilled. I remember taking part in the short listing process for an earlier award so it was great to be short listed myself, but to win the award was lovely."
The Thirteen Treasures has now been sold to the US, Brazil, Germany, Greece, Israel, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, Russia, Serbia and Spain. Congratulations Michelle!
Timothy And The Dragon's Gate published!
February sees the publication of the fabulous Timothy And the Dragons Gate by Adrienne Kress This sparkling follow up to Alex and the Wigpowder Treasure tells the story of Timothy Freshwater, an eleven year old who has been kicked out of every school in the city.
He finds himself on a strange work placement in the Tall and Imposing Tower of Doom…and things just get weirder. Timothy might be too smart for his own good but is he smart enough to defeat ninjas, pirates and killer monks? A roller coaster adventure full of twists and turns which is already attracting awesome reviews.
Enthralling and impressive…Kress has crafted an engrossing tale laced subtly with its own set of valuable lessons that she is careful never to over sell. Timothy and the Dragons Gate might be about growth and selflessness and generosity but kids don’t want to read that stuff; they want stories about pirates, ninjas, epic battles, sewer chases, and dragons which Kress delivers in spades. Timothy and the Dragons Gate is an old fashioned tale, being told by a gifted storyteller, to an audience of one.
Quill & Quire.
Two agency authors shortlisted for major book prize
Two of the Agency's debut children's authors have been short-listed for this year's Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Rob Stevens for The Mapmakers Monsters: Beware of the Buffalogre.
When Christopher Columbus-wannabe Rupert Lilywhite decides to set sail and discover a new land - Walter Bailey and his twelve-year-old nephew Hugo are employed as the ship's mapmakers. When the sailors do eventually spot a mystery island, it is Walter and Hugo who are dispatched to investigate (nobody else can be bothered). Arriving on a beach of purple sand, the intrepid pair believe that they have found paradise...
Until Walter is picked off by a giant flying rat. But with the help of some weird and wonderful talking creatures, including Pigasus the flutterhog, Delphina the water-breathing merphin and Savage, the tiny but fearless mouse, Hugo is given a chance to save his uncle and put his mapmaking training
And Michelle Harrison for The Thirteen Treasures (Simon & Schuster)
While visiting her grandmother's house, an old photograph leads Tanya to an unsolved mystery...
Fifty years ago a girl vanished in the woods nearby - a girl Tanya's grandmother will not speak of. Fabian, the caretaker's son, is tormented by the girl's disappearance. His grandfather was the last person to see her alive, and has lived under suspicion ever since. Together, Tanya and Fabian decide to find the truth...But Tanya has her own secret: the ability to see fairies. And, after disturbing an intruder in the night, it emerges that someone else shares her ability ...The manor's sinister history is about to repeat itself...
The prestigious Waterstones prize was created to highlight new talent in Children’s writing and to raise the profile of new emerging authors and previous winners have gone on to huge success. The winning title will be announced in February and is based on the votes of hundreds of booksellers as well as a judging panel.
Congratulations to Rob and Michelle on their nominations!
New children's agent joins Darley Anderson
The Agency welcomes Becky Stradwick to head up the Children’s Agency.
Becky, former head of Children’s books for Borders UK has worked in children’s books for eleven years. She is now developing the children’s list and also represents Lisa Clark, Michelle Harrison, Adrienne Kress, Carmen Reid, Rob Stevens and Kate Wild.
Debut children's novel from bestselling Carmen Reid
Carmen Reid has launched an exciting new series set in an exclusive all girls boarding school. The St Jude's series are her first titles for younger readers, and they draw on her own experiences in a Scottish boarding school. The Secrets at St.Judes: New Girl is the first title in a series packed full of friendship, fun, love and mischief and is an irresistible treat.
Gina's mother is fed up with her staying out late, spending too much money on clothes and too much time IM-ing her friends. But her solution to sort out her 
wayward LA IT girl is pretty drastic - she's sending Gina to Scotland to go to the same boarding school she attended. Suddenly taken from a world of malls, mobile phones, en-suite wet-rooms, designer clothes and sophisticated boys, Gina is suddenly forced to find her way through games of hockey, communal meals and showers, horrible public schoolboys and stuffy housemistresses. Will she ever survive? Her dorm buddies might just help - they're a strange bunch but they seem to be good fun ... And there are always the boys from the local school to help keep them entertained.
The second novel Jealous Girl will be published in July 2009.
FIGHT GAME a bestseller in Taiwan
Kate Wild’s fantastic debut Fight Game reached No.16 on the Kingstone list (Taiwan’s biggest book chain) and went on to enjoy several more weeks in the charts. The exhilarating sequel FireFight has already been sold to Denmark, Italy, Serbia and Taiwan
Queen of Teen Nominee
Girls aged between 10-18 have nominated Lisa Clark as one of their favourite authors — their very own Queen of Teen! Among the nominees are: Louise Rennison and the award will be announced on 29th September. Fab—u—lous!
Cathy Cassidy Celebrates Friendship
On Sunday 6th July four hundred Cathy Cassidy fans braved wind and rain to gather at Westminster Boating Base and Pimlico Gardens to celebrate friendship and to meet Cathy in person, many queuing for hours to get their brand new copies of Cathy‘s new title Ginger- Snaps (published by Puffin 3rd July) signed.
The winners of the 2008 Cathy Cassidy My Best Friend Rocks Award chosen from thousands of entries from young people who told us why their best friend is one in a million were also announced and Cathy‘s Friendship Charter was unveiled asking all the young people attending to say NO to bullying and YES to friendship. Cathy was interviewed on BBC Breakfast News before the festival to talk about the Friendship Charter and the aim of the festival, alongside ChildLine representative Chris Cloke.
Fourteen-year-olds Laura Taylor and Kelly Simmonds of Norfolk were the well deserved winners of the 2008 My Best Friend Rocks Award. Laura was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and nominated her best buddy Kelly for the award because of the support and friendship Kelly has shown her since her diagnosis. Kelly was at the award ceremony to accept her prize from Cathy.
For an author who puts the power and importance of friendship at the heart ofher books for young people, the Ultimate Friendship Festival was the perfect opportunity for ChildLine supporter, Cathy Cassidy, to share her anti-bullying message with hundreds of her loyal readers.
Fun was had by one and all at the festival, with Cathy Cassidy fans joining in all of the activities on offer including chocolate hand painting, bath bomb making, trampolining, badge making, friendship quizzes and much, much more.
Find out more about Cathy at: http://www.cathycassidy.com
Bright New Talent
Rob Steven’s The Mapmaker‘s Monsters has been longlisted (along with 19 other titles) for the Waterstone's Children’s Book Prize 2009. This prize celebrates new talent in children's writing. The shortlist will be announced in October.
Says his publisher Emma Young at Macmillan: “we’ve never come across anything quite as exciting and imaginative as The Mapmaker's Monsters. Think Shrek meets Pirates of the Caribbean — We are thrilled to be publishing the funny, offbeat adventures of Hugo and his weird and wonderful entourage — after all, who wouldn’t fall in love with a flying pig named Pigasus?
Congratulations Rob! And best of British!
Pilot's Writing Career Takes Off
Julia Churchill and Macmillan editor, Emma Young have closed a two book deal (UK and Commonwealth) for a First book by British Airways pilot, Rob Stevens.
THE MAPMAKERS APPRENTICE is the first in a fantasy adventure series for 9+.
It's the age of discovery and Walter Stamp and his twelve year old nephew; Hugo Bailey, are
mapmakers.It's their job to map the blurred edges of the world just beyond the fringes of
civilisation where the known and unknown meet.
Most of The Mapmakers Apprentice was written in hotel rooms across the world and it was submitted to publishers along with youtube video of the author talking about his book.
The first book will be published January 09 and the second in Summer 09.
Richard And Judy Love Cathy Cassidy
Cathy Cassidy‘s SUNDAE GIRL has been picked by Richard and Judy to feature in their Top Reads for the 9+ category!
The chosen few will feature in a ONE-OFF CHILDREN'S BOOKS SPECIAL this Autumn. Broadcast on 28th October as part of the channel's literacy season, "Richard and Judy‘s Best Kids Books Ever"' will feature 19 books, divided into four ability groups, with two winning titles in each category revealed during the programme.
Thinking Pink
Rights in Lisa Clark's THINK PINK have just been sold in the US to HarperCollins and Italy to Fabbri. Fantastico!
Lisa‘s next book, beauty bible BEAUTY*LICIOUS will be published in June in the UK.
Watch Fight Game Trailer
Go to http://youtube.com/watch?v=slp94mf7tP8 to watch Kate Wild's breathtaking FIGHT GAME book trailer.
FIGHT GAME will be published in the UK in June 2007
Cathy Cassidy Bestseller
Cathy Cassidy has gone to number six in the bestseller lists with her latest novel, SUNDAE GIRL. Congratulations Cathy!
Cathy was the first children's author to be signed by Darley who's prediction from the beginning was that she was going to become a top bestseller.
This enthusiam and belief was shared by Puffin MD Francesca 
Dow who originally acquired Cathy in a highly competitive auction.
Cathy Cassidy‘s warm, funny, tender fiction has won her an army of dedicated fans, both boys and girls. Her fan club now has 5,000 members and counting. Watch out for a new star!
Find out more at: www.cathycassidy.com
The Pamper Party
On November 4th, the winners of the Cathy Cassidy Pamper Party Competition came to Puffin HQ for an afternoon of fun!
A glittering pink lift whooshed winners to the party venue. While the mums chilled out, winners and their friends designed and made t—shirts, had a mini—massage, a cool makeover and made friendship bracelets, as well as getting to meet Cathy and have their books signed. Everyone got to have their pic taken with 
Cathy, and everyone got a goody—bag to take home.
Scholastic Trade Pieces Of Eight For New Treasure
The agency has just tied up a deal with Scholastic for debut author, Adrienne Kress.
"When Adrienne sent along the first three chapters of ALEX AND THE WIGPOWDER TREASURE I phoned her immediately to ask for the rest of the ms. It was obvious she had a wild imagination and brilliant sense of humour as well as a clear commercial instinct,‘ says children's agent Julia Churchill.
This is the story of Alex and her quest to find her kidnapped year six teacher, Mr. Underwood, while being hotly pursued by both the Daughters of the Founding Fathers Preservation Society, and Pirate Captain Smith the Inevitable, captain of the deadliest pirate ship this side of the equator — The Ironic Gentleman.
Scholastic‘s offer was accompanied by a large brown paper package. Inside was a treasure chest full of pirate related booty: gold coins, jewels, tea stained treasure maps as well as a knock out marketing proposal. Their offer letter was on a weathered scroll that could fit in the palm of my hand. It was made with such style and sense of fun, I knew that Scholastic loved the book as much as I do.
Editorial Director, Elv Moody says,
We fell in love with Adrienne's brilliant first novel right from page one, and created a treasure chest pitch to ensure we snapped it up. Quirky; funny; fast—paced and fabulous, this is a book children will devour — perfect for Scholastic‘s fiction list.
Publishers Hit Gold
We‘ve had the most phenomenal international reaction to ALEX AND THE WIGPOWDER TREASURE says Foreign Rights Manager, Emma White.
It was one of the most exciting Frankfurt Book Fairs I‘ve ever had with publishers passing me bits of paper with offers for ALEX AND THE WIGPOWDER TREASURE! There was a frenzied buzz about this series.
Weinstein Books has acquired U.S. rights and will publish in Autumn 2007 on Weinstein Books' debut list. In the US it will be published as ALEX AND THE IRONIC GENTLEMAN.
Weinstein Books President and CEO Rob Weisbach acquired the books in a multi—publisher auction. Bob and Harvey Weinstein have an extraordinary history of bestselling children’s books through their Miramax Books imprint.
Said Weisbach, “Within the very first pages of Alex and the Ironic Gentleman it becomes clear that Adrienne Kress has conjured one of the most winning young heroines in years—and created a page—turning adventure that will make this series a must—have for young readers.
Edizioni EL in Italy made a substantial pre-empt before Frankfurt and we‘ve just concluded a heated Greek auction. Ellinika Grammata were the eventual winners paying a record breaking advance for three books and after a thrilling German auction, Arena came through triumphant.
ALEX AND THE WIGPOWDER TREASURE was requested by almost every publisher we saw at the fair and we have further foreign deals pending.