Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has acquired, in an exclusive submission, This Wretched Beauty by debut author Elle Grenier. This transfeminine YA remix of The Picture of Dorian Gray sees Dorian moved to jealousy towards her own portrait not only by vanity, but also a sudden awareness of the young man she's expected to become, leading her through a dark web of obsession, paranoia, and terror as her portrait starts to change in her place. Publication is slated for winter 2026; Alexandra Levick at Writers House did the deal for world rights.
Julie Matysik at Running Press Kids has bought world rights to Take Up Space, Y'all: Your Bold & Bright Guide to Self-Love by plus-size supermodel and body positive activist Tess Holliday (l.) and author Kelly Coon. This wellness book for tweens and teens explores what it means to love oneself from the inside out, especially in the social media era, and includes advice, anecdotes, writing prompts, and quizzes. Publication is planned for August 2025; Olivia Peeke at Intention represented Holliday, and Kari Sutherland at KT Literary represented Coon.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Stifled by Jennifer Gennari, a contemporary middle grade novel about a girl named Madge who must rediscover her voice and confidence while navigating family secrets, friendship growing pains, book banning at her school library, and the stress of playing in a competitive band ensemble. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal.
Alexandra Merkel at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Mummy Man and Waffles: The Dire Deeds of Doctor Gargo by Steve Behling (l.), illustrated by Robb Mommaerts. In this spooky, goofy middle grade novel, 11-year-old Waffles and his friends Tanya, Mummy Man, Frank, and Medusa road trip from Shriekport, Maine to Hollywood to confront the evil villain who unleashed reanimated monsters from a prop man's basement upon the country. Publication is set for summer 2025; Kathryn Green at Kathryn Green Literary Agency represented the author, and Jessica Saint Jean at Root Literary represented the illustrator while at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
Yolanda Scott at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to The Golden Necklace: A Darjeeling Tea Mystery by Mitali Perkins (l.), and Ellie Erhart has acquired world rights for illustrations by Maithili Joshi. This contemporary chapter-book mystery set on a tea plantation in Darjeeling, India, follows the adventures of a 12-year-old Nepali girl who sets out to solve the disappearance of her Bengali friend's missing golden necklace before her beloved brother is accused of the theft. Publication is slated for October 2025; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has bought world rights to two original Ready-to-Reads by Terri Farley (l.), set in the world of her classic The Phantom Stallion series: The Stallion and Feather, the Foal, illustrated by Kirbi Fagan; Destiny Reyes will edit. Publication for the first book is planned for spring 2026; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary represented the illustrator.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to A Spectacular Thing by Randall de Sève (l.), illustrated by Julie Morstad, a celebration of play, kindness, and inclusion, centered around a fort-making and soon-to-be spectacular thing. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Melissa Manlove at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has bought Always Room for One More by Jacqueline Lindsey. One child's impulsive playground invitation turns a family Thanksgiving into a celebration of both the chaos and the joy of the holiday. As unexpected guests pile in and creative seating arrangements abound, this story reminds readers that sometimes the best celebrations are the ones we never saw coming. Publication is set for fall 2026; Katie Monson at SBR Media sold world rights.
Chris Ayala-Kronos at Clarion Books has acquired The Night Before Christmas by Lauren Semmer (The ABCs of Black History), a modern take on the classic Christmas poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Publication is slated for fall 2025; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Lynne Marie at The Little Press has bought world rights to Good Luck, Puck by Donna Marx (l.), illustrated by Daniel Sulzberg, a picture book about a hockey puck's journey to find the Olympic sport where he can really shine. Publication is planned for fall 2025; the author was unagented, and Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
