Carnegie for Cathy Cassidy
October 2015
The Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency are incredibly proud to announce that Looking Glass Girl by Cathy Cassidy has been nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal 2016.
Congratulations, Cathy!
Polly and Kim score twentieth nomination!
September 2015
We are proud to share that both Polly Ho-Yen’s Boy in the Tower and Kim Slater’s Smart have been longlisted for the Grampian Children’s Book Award!
Both authors have received several prestigious award nominations, including the Carnegie Medal, this year already with this listing being Kim’s 11th!
The Grampian Book Award was set up for secondary school children in Grampian, conceived by librarians in school and public libraries in 2004. The aim is to promote the art of reading for pleasure and a look of books; giving keen readers the chance to share their passion for reading with their peers. For more information, please click here.
Congratulations, Polly and Kim!
Hodder Children's Books goes wild for Scobie!
August 2015
We are so thrilled today to announce that Hodder Children’s Books have acquired Diversity, a 64 page picture book by zoologist and author, Nicola Davies, illustrated by our rising star, Lorna Scobie!
Emma Layfield, Picture Book Publisher at Hodder Children’s Books acquired the title and said: “I’m so pleased to welcome Nicola and Lorna to Hodder Children’s Books. Nicola has an infectious passion for communicating her expertise about the world around us and her enthusiasm is matched by Lorna’s vibrant, beautiful illustrations. I feel privileged to bring their two talents together.”
Congratulations, Lorna!
Empire by John Connolly is Out Now!
July 2015
Empire by John Connolly is out to buy now in paperback!
The second in the epic Chronicles of the Invaders trilogy by bestselling author John Connolly, and Jennifer Ridyard.
He is its rebel captive.
Separated by millions of light years, their dreams are united.
And they will risk everything to make their world - all worlds - right again.
Olivia Levez to Rock the Boat
July 2015
We are thrilled to announce a new deal for début YA author Olivia Levez.
The Island is an adventure story in which a girl has not only to battle survival on a desert island but also do battle with her past. World English rights in The Island were acquired by Sarah Odedina, in a two-book deal, in one of her first acquisitions as children’s publisher at Oneworld imprint Rock the Boat. Odedina said: “It is a pulse-quickening read with real heart by a hugely exciting new voice who I very much look forward to publishing and bringing to readers.” The Island will be published in March 2016.
Welcome to the Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency, Olivia. We’re delighted to have you aboard!
Iran bewitched by Boy in the Tower
June 2015
The Rights Team are absolutely delighted to say that they have just closed a deal for Persian translation rights!
Persian translation rights for Polly Ho-Yen’s Boy in the Tower were sold to Houpaa Books in Iran and, in hugely exciting news, this marks the agency’s very first deal with this territory.
Congratulations, Polly!
Boy in the Tower scoops second place!
June 2015
We’re so pleased today to announce that Polly Ho-Yen's Boy in the Tower is the runner-up for the Teach Primary New Children’s Fiction Award!
The Teach Primary New Children’s Fiction Award was developed and launched by Teach Primary magazine as a new award scheme for children’s fiction. The magazine was looking for brilliantly told stories, whether from first time or established authors, that might inspire primary school aged pupils to pick up a book for pleasure, both within and beyond the classroom.
Boy in the Tower was pitted alongside six other fantastic titles and we are thrilled that Polly came runner-up in the Key Stage 2 category.
Congratulations, Polly!
The Imagination Box by Martyn Ford is out today!
May 2015
We are thrilled to say that Martyn Ford’s début novel, The Imagination Box, is published today by Faber Children’s Books!
The Imagination Box is the first in Martyn’s middle-grade series featuring Timothy Hart and his talking finger-monkey, Phil.
“There is a box. Anything you imagine will appear inside. You have one go, one chance to create anything you want. What would you pick?”
That’s exactly the question ten-year-old Timothy Hart gets to answer after discovering The Imagination Box. The greatest toy on earth.
The top-secret contraption transforms his life, but when the box’s inventor, Professor Eisenstone, goes missing, Tim knows he has to investigate.
With the help of a talking finger monkey called Phil, he sets out to find the Professor. In order to rescue his friend, he must face his darkest fears and discover the true potential of his own mind.
Congratulations, Martyn!
‘Exciting and lively plotting is cleverly suffused with subtle humour, a handful of super-villains and a bucketful of space-age gadgetry.’ Book Trust
Recognition for Urban Legends!
April 2015
We are delighted to say that Helen Grant's Urban Legends is the Scottish Book Trust's Teen Book of the Month for April 2015!
The final chilling instalment in the Forbidden Spaces trilogy sees Veerle haunted by her past...
A group of story-tellers are disappearing one by one.
A young woman is haunted by her past.
A serial killer has one target he is desperate to hunt down.
Veerle is trying to lie low, to live as 'normal' a life as she possibly can. But when you've thwarted a serial killer, it's hard to do this. Especially when he wants revenge.
Congratulations, Helen!
For full details, please click here or follow Helen on Twitter at @helengrantsays.
'Grant has established herself as a major talent in YA fiction.' Daily Mail
Kim Slater is shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Award!
March 2015
It really is awards season for Kim Slater! We are pleased to say that Kim and Smart have been shortlisted for the East Midlands Book Award which marks Kim’s seventh award nomination!
Smart is one of six shortlisted books that offer a varied mix of genres including Science Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction and Poetry. The final shortlist was announced by John Lucas of Shoestring Press and Chair of the EMBA trustees. It’s also a particularly special listing for Kim, and close to her heart, as she’s from the East Midlands herself.
In further exciting news for Smart, just before Bologna Book Fair begins, the rights team have sold Italian translation rights to Il Castoro and Japanese translation rights to Hyoronsha!
Congratulations, Kim!
Grant gets Ghostly
March 2015
We are delighted to say that Helen Grant is going to be one of three keynote speakers at a one day conference in March on the theme of M.R. James and the Modern Ghost story.
Helen is a keen fan of the classic English ghost story writer, M.R. James (her second novel, The Glass Demon, was partly inspired by his story, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas), having written several articles about his work. Helen has been asked to speak at the University of Leeds event held at Leeds Library on March 28th. She will be appearing alongside Professor Darryl Jones and Professor Roger Luckhurst and will be discussing one of M.R. James’ most famous tales, Canon Alberic’s Scrap-book.
For more information, and registration details, please click here.
Monsters and Fairytales for Loretta Schauer!
March 2015
We are so pleased today to announce the publication of two picture books, from Little Tiger Press, wonderfully illustrated by our own Loretta Schauer!
A Monster’s Moved In! by Timothy Knapman follows Barnaby and the mishaps that happen when a monster moves into his den.
Rumpelstiltskin, part of the My First Fairytales series by Maya Alperin, is the second in the series that Loretta has illustrated - Little Red Riding Hood was published last year.
Congratulations on these fantastic books, Loretta!
Boy in the Tower and Smart shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize!
February 2015
We are so proud to share that two of our children’s authors are on the shortlist for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2015!
Hot on the heels of Kim Slater's longlisting for the Carnegie Medal and Polly Ho-Yen’s longlisting for the Branford Boase Award, we are absolutely delighted that Smart and Boy in the Tower have been shortlisted for this prize which champions new and emerging writers for children.
Smart has been selected in the Teen category and Boy in the Tower has been selected in the 5-12 category, both alongside five other fantastic books. The shortlist was described by Waterstones MD James Daunt as ‘exciting, imaginative and beautiful’. The winners in all categories will be announced at Waterstones Piccadilly on 26th March.
In addition to this fantastic shortlisting, Smart has been nominated for the following awards:
Shortlisted for the St Helen’s Libraries Book Awards (BASH) 2015; Shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award 2015; Shortlisted for the Shropshire Teenage Book Award 2015; Longlisted for Carnegie Medal 2015
And Boy in the Tower has been nominated for:
Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award 2015; Longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2015; Longlisted for the Calderdale Book of the Year Award; Longlisted for the Redbridge Book Awards 2015.
Congratulations, Polly and Kim!
National Libraries Day 2015
February 2015
The annual National Libraries Day took place on Saturday 7th February. Over 700 events up and down the UK took place to celebrate libraries and librarians and to highlight the cutbacks made to UK libraries.
As Cathy Cassidy wrote here, over 300 libraries have closed in the UK in the past four years and it’s more vital than ever to support and stand up for them.
This year, Cathy Cassidy and Helen Grant were both media ambassadors. Helen went onto The Culture Studio on BBC Radio Scotland with illustrator and author, Emily MacKenzie, to talk about how important libraries are.
Helen Grant at her local library
On National Library Day itself, Helen went to her local library, Strathearn Community Library, to talk about her books and what it’s like to be a local author.
If you’d like to find out more about this fantastic initiative, please click here.
Claire Powell joins the Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency!
February 2015
The Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency is delighted to welcome illustrator and writer, Claire Powell, to the agency!
Claire spent several years as a design director in the world of channel rebranding working for clients such as Nickelodeon, BBC Three, CBBC and BBC One.
Welcome to the agency, Claire!
Boy in the Tower longlisted for the Branford Boase Award!
January 2015
We are very pleased to share that Polly Ho Yen’s amazing list of award nominations keeps growing!
Boy in the Tower, Polly’s début, has been longlisted for the Branford Boase Award!
The brilliant Branford Boase Award is specifically for outstanding debut authors and their editors. It has been running for fifteen years and past winners and shortlisted authors include Meg Rosoff, Patrick Ness, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Kevin Brooks.
The shortlist will be revealed in May with the eventual winner chosen in July at a ceremony in London. For more information on the full list, please click here.
Huge congratulations, Polly!
YA Extravaganza!
September 2015
In very exciting news, 10th October 2015 sees the second ever UKYA Extravaganza, an event that offers readers and book bloggers the opportunity to meet a whole host of UKYA writers.
The idea of the UKYA Extravaganza is to take a group of YA authors to where the book fans are, so the events move round rather than being based in one place. The first UKYA Extravaganza took place at Waterstone's Birmingham in 2014 and tickets very quickly sold out. The second Extravaganza is taking place at Waterstone's Nottingham and further regional events will follow.
This Extravaganza features twenty nine UKYA authors, including Queen of Teen James Dawson, and our bestseling Darley Anderson author, Helen Grant!
The chilling final book in Helen's Forbidden Spaces trilogy, Urban Legends, was released in March this year.
For more information, please click here.
Pirates in Pyjamas is out now!
August 2015
Congratulations today to Caroline Crowe as her first picture book, Pirates in Pyjamas, is published today by Little Tiger Press!
‘The wonderful rhymes and super pictures will captivate youngsters’ imaginations.’ The Sun
‘Few will be calmed by this raucous crew’s capers, but at least they’ll see that sometimes bedtime can be an adventure all its own.’ Kirkus Reviews
Well done, Caroline!
Claire Powell wins Best Short Animated Film 2015
August 2015
Huge congratulations to illustrator Claire Powell, who won Best Short Film at the British Animation Film Festival 2015.
The Scapegoat was a project Claire started in 2011 which she describes as ‘a labour of love’. Based on a true story of one of the greatest criminal cases in Victorian history, The Scapegoat is a sinister and mysterious tale full of conspiracies and prejudice.
The Scapegoat was among 26 other films screened at The Roxy in London on July 19th. During the screenings the awards for best animation, best music and best short film are decided on by a mixture of audience and jury votes.
Claire says ‘It feels fantastic to have my hard work recognised by an animation jury, fellow film makers and members of the public. When you work on a project for so long it is nerve wrecking to hand it over to others for judgement. To be judged so kindly is a heart warming feeling that makes dedicating 4 years of my life to tell someone else's story all the more worthwhile’
You can watch the trailer here or find out more about Claire’s work here.
TOWER HAMLETS BOOK AWARD 2015
July 2015
We’ve just found out that both début novels Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen and Smart by Kim Slater have been shortlisted for the Tower Hamlets Book Award 2015!
The Book Award is for pupils aged 10 to 13. The aim is to encourage children to read, to bring children together to enable debate and discussion about books and to encourage children to share the pleasure of reading.
Because the award bridges primary and secondary schools, it encourages pupils from different phases to share in reading events and work together. Schools who have taken part in the award have found it to be highly beneficial in encouraging children to broaden their reading range and develop their literacy – not just in reading but also in speaking and listening, as a core part of any book award is discussion and debate.
We couldn’t be more thrilled for Kim and Polly to be involved. Congratulations to them both!
The winner will be announced on the 27th of November and you can read more about the award here: http://www.towerhamlets-sls.org.uk/thba15/
Hugh Holman joins the Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency!
June 2015
We are thrilled to welcome Hugh Holman to the Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency!
Hugh’s debut novel, The Almost Animals, is a quirky, illustrated book for 6+ and follows crocogator, Angle's, attempts to find acceptance.
Strident Publishing snapped up The Almost Animals and will publish in October. Hugh is a zoologically-trained actor, who also writes books. He is from a tiny hamlet called The Shoe, which is just outside Bath, though he currently resides in London.
Welcome to the agency, Hugh!
Fortune Cookie by Cathy Cassidy is out now!
June 2015
Cathy Cassidy's latest and last book in the much-loved Chocolate Box Girls series, Fortune Cookie, is out today.
After the amazing twist at the end of Sweet Honey, the sixth and final book in the Chocolate Box Girls series follows Jake, the Tanberry sisters' newly discovered half-brother...
As if the bombshell that he had three half-sisters wasn't enough, Jake's life in London is turning into a nightmare. He has nowhere to run - except for maybe his new family in Somerset . . . But Jake knows next to nothing about the Tanberrys. Will he be welcome there? And even if he is, can anyone really help him turn things around?
For more Chocolate Box Girls fun get The Chocolate Box Secrets - a delicious scrapbook of creative ideas from the Chocolate Box Girls. A must-have for all Cathy fans!
A 'Smart' Choice at Leeds Book Awards
May 2015
We are absolutely delighted to announce that Kim Slater's novel Smart has been chosen as a winner at the Leeds Book Awards 2015!
The Leeds Book Awards are held in the Pudsey Civil Hall in Leeds, and are organised by Leeds Libraries. The Awards are comprised of three age categories, which range from nine to sixteen years old. Smart was announced as a shortlisted book in the11-14 category alongside the work of other fantastic authors, but we are so thrilled for Kim that she has now come out on top!
This brilliant news comes just after Kim's prize for Smart at the St. Helen's Book Award last month, and her longlisting for the Carnegie Medal!
Big congratulations from everyone at the Darley Anderson Agency, Kim! For more information about the Leeds Book Awards, visit their website.
Smart wins St Helens Book Award!
April 2015
Hot on the heels of Kim Slater’s Carnegie Medal longlisting, we are thrilled and proud to say that Smart has won the St Helen’s Book Award 2015!
The St Helen’s Book Award is a fantastic regional Book Award scheme for secondary school pupils. BASH (Book Awards St Helens) started in 2011, and celebrates works of fiction published in the UK for ages 11-18. The scheme works in partnership with local high schools and has recently introduced a scheme for primary school children.
Reigning Queen of Teen, James Dawson, announced Kim as the winner this afternoon from a shortlist of four other teen titles: Tape by Steven Camden, Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Caroll, The Messengers by Edward Hogan and She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick. Previous winners include Patrick Ness and Nick Lake.
Congratulations, Kim!
The perfect Easter read is out now!
April 2015
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, bestselling children's author Cathy Cassidy has released, Looking-Glass Girl, a compelling modern-day re-imagining of Alice's story.
Alice nearly didn't go to the sleepover. Why would Savvy, queen of the school, invite someone like her?
Now Alice is lying unconscious in a hospital bed.
Lost in a wonderland of dreams and half-formed memories, she's surrounded by voices - the doctor, her worried friends and Luke, whose kisses the night of the fall took her by surprise...
When the accident happened, her world vanished - can Alice ever find her way back?
This unforgettable story of friendship and love makes the perfect treat this Easter. Get ready to fall down the rabbit hole all over again...
Cwtch Me If You Can!
March 2015
We are delighted to announce that Beth Reekles' Quick Reads novella, Cwtch Me If You Can, is out today!
It is one of eight novellas being published through Quick Reads in 2015. The Quick Reads campaign aims to break down barriers and get more adults and teens in Wales reading by producing short, snappy books available from libraries, bookshops and online for just £1. For more information on the brilliant Quick Reads scheme, click here.
Beth stopped by the Darley Anderson blog to chat to Clare about writing for teens, favourite possessions and the wonderful world of social media. To watch the interview, visit the Darley Anderson blog.
*Cwtch is a Welsh word that means 'snuggle' or 'cuddle'. For context, you could "cwtch up under your duvet on a cold day", "cwtch up with a good book on the sofa", cwtch your boyfriend/girlfriend"
Summer Reading Challenge for Martyn Ford!
March 2015
In brilliant news, Martyn Ford’s The Imagination Box has been selected for The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge!
The Summer Reading Challenge is a scheme designed for children and their local libraries to participate in during the summer holidays. In 2014, 794,801 children got involved with the international reach, through the British Council, topping 30,000!
The Imagination Box is one of 71 fantastic titles and has been selected in the 8-11 category. This year, the challenge will be in association with Guiness World Records and the theme is Record Breakers. It will aim to bring together fact and fiction with the readers discovering wacky and wonderful records from around the world in six different categories: cool tech, way to go!, the big stuff, animal magic, human touch and action! adventure!
The Imagination Box will be published by Faber on 7th May.
Congratulations, Martyn!
For more information, please click here.
Smart published in paperback today!
February 2015
Kim Slater’s Carnegie longlisted début Smart is published by Macmillan Children’s Books in paperback today!
When fourteen-year-old artistic genius Kieran Woods finds the body of a homeless man floating in the river, he refuses to believe the death was accidental. In a race against time, Kieran embarks on solving the mystery.
Not only must he find the killer, he must also escape his abusive stepfamily to save himself and the people he loves. Can Kieran catch the killer before the killer catches him?
Congratulations, Kim!
Smart longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2015!
February 2015
We are so proud and excited to share this morning’s fantastic news: Smart by Kim Slater has been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2015!
One of the highest accolades in children’s literature, Kim’s critically acclaimed début novel is up against other fantastic debuts and past winners such as Patrick Ness, Meg Rosoff and Berlie Doherty. The judges described this year’s selection of books as ‘books that tackle the whole range of human experience from the joys and tribulations of friendship, to mortality and grief featured along with gripping mysteries…’
The shortlists will be announced on Tuesday 17th March with the winner announced on Monday 22nd June at the British Library. For more information, please click here.
Huge congratulations, Kim!
‘Smart is an absolute page-turner with a loveable narrator and great characterisation. I can’t wait to see what comes next from Kim Slater.’ The Bookseller
‘A remarkable first novel which embraces many of the themes in current teenage literature. Expect this book to be in the running for prizes.’ The Guardian
Sweet Honey by Cathy Cassidy is out in paperback now!
February 2015
Bestselling children's author Cathy Cassidy has released her latest Chocolate Box Girls book Sweet Honey in paperback!
Boy in the Tower published in paperback today!
January 2015
Polly Ho-Yen’s award nominated début, Boy in the Tower, is published today in paperback by Random House Children’s Books!
Ade loves living at the top of a tower block. From his window, he feels like he can see the whole world stretching out beneath him.
His mum doesn't really like looking outside - but it's going outside that she hates. She's happier sleeping all day, inside their tower where it's safe.
But one day, other tower blocks on the estate start falling down around them and strange, menacing plants begin to appear.
Now their tower isn't safe anymore. Ade and his mum are trapped and there's no way out.
Polly Ho-Yen has been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2015, Branford Boase Award 2015, Calderdale Book of the Year Award, Redbridge Book Awards 2015. She has also been shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award 2015.
‘This strong debut works as a page-turner and as a depiction of life in inner-city Britain, full of weird, incomprehensible perils, quotidian heroics and unexpected resources.’ The Observer
‘An unusual and impressive debut’ The Bookseller
‘Polly Ho-Yen's debut is an impressively moving and thought-provoking story that will touch children and adults alike.’ Book Trust
Empire is out now!
January 2015
The second Chronicles of the Invaders installment by John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard is out now!
"I am left with the same feeling that I am always left when finishing the latest Connolly book - exhausted from staying up too late, and anxiously counting down the days until the next release date!"
Review of Conquest (Chronicles Book 1) Goodreads.com
The Chronicles of the Invaders series "should not be missed" The Guardian