Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books and Charlie Castelletti with Emma Jones at Macmillan UK, in an eight-publisher auction in the U.K., have acquired actor and screenwriter Harry Trevaldwyn's YA debut, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King, a coming-of-age romance about a high schooler who has decided that this will be the year he gets a boyfriend—and will use his alarming amount of self-confidence to do just that. Publication is set for winter 2025; Jessica Hare at the Agency (London) Ltd. sold world English rights.
Bria Ragin, Nicola Yoon, and David Yoon at Joy Revolution have bought, in an exclusive submission, Marisol Acts the Part by Elle Gonzalez Rose, a sapphic Latine rom-com take on Legally Blonde. After a humiliating public dumping, a teen actress lands a role on the same high-profile show as her ex-boyfriend, only for things to get messy when she falls for his co-star. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Uwe Stender at TriadaUS sold world rights.
Brian Geffen at Henry Holt has acquired, in a joint preempt with Emma Jones at Macmillan UK, The Beasts We Bury and The Beasts We Raise, a YA romantasy duology by debut author D.L. Taylor about a king's daughter who can summon an army of animals, but only by killing them first, and a charming thief who plans to manipulate her to pull off a once-in-a-lifetime heist. Publication of the first book is scheduled for winter 2025; Catherine Cho at Paper Literary negotiated the six-figure deal for world English rights.
Robyn Chapman at First Second has bought, at auction, world English rights to Whippoorwills by Crystal Frasier, illustrated by Val Wise (Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms). This Southern Gothic YA graphic novel follows three young trans women who must band together to survive at a mysterious and magical all-girls boarding school. Publication is planned for 2028; Desiree Wilson at Looking Glass Literary and Media represented the author and artist.
Lauren Knowles at Page Street has acquired Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis, a YA paranormal romance pitched as Legendborn meets New Moon. The story follows an 18-year-old Black girl who's mysteriously accepted into a university in a midwestern town known for its legends about werewolves and vampires, only to find herself in the midst of an ancient, magical war, set against a high-stakes campus backdrop. Publication is set for winter 2025; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Ben Rosenthal at HarperCollins has bought Margaret Peterson Haddix's next middle grade series, Moonleapers, along with an untitled stand-alone novel. Moonleapers stars 12-year-old Maisie, who discovers she can slip through time to help her great-aunt fight the Nazis in WWII. But Maisie's actions in the past might end up changing her own present just as dramatically. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025, fall 2026, and fall 2027; Tracey Adams at Adams Literary sold North American rights.
Kara Sargent at Aladdin has acquired The Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner by Schneider Award winner Erin Stewart. After a panic attack prevents her from meeting her favorite author, Zoey Turner, grieving her father's passing and grappling with her anxiety, writes a story using a pencil from the signing event. The next day, she finds her story might just have come true. Publication is slated for 2025 and a second book in 2026; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House handled the two-book deal for North American rights.
Milena Blue Spruce at Little, Brown has bought The Tear Collector, a middle grade climate fiction fantasy by R.M. Romero in which two siblings learn to survive on an isolated island in their changed world, where people afflicted by a mysterious illness transform into monsters. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency sold world rights.
Talia Benamy at Philomel has acquired world rights to You're the Boss and two graphic novels by Brian Weisfeld (l.), founder of the Startup Squad, cowritten by Bonnie Bader (c.). The middle grade nonfiction guide on how to start your own business is slated for publication in fall 2024; the two graphic novels, featuring fictional stories about kids who've started businesses, will be illustrated by Nadia Hsieh (r.) and are set for spring 2026 and spring 2027. Anthony Mattero at CAA represented Weisfeld, Bader represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented Hsieh.
Kirstie Hudson at Orca Books has bought YA novelist Tanya Boteju's first work of nonfiction, Allyship: 7 Ways Toward Change, a guide to help middle grade readers take action in meaningful ways and participate more confidently in social change movements. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world rights.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to Watch Them Grow: Animals Before Birth by Carrie A. Pearson. This work of middle grade nonfiction explores how animals develop in utero and develop specialized adaptations, including a bat's wings and an elephant's trunk. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has bought world rights to Wondermoms! and Wonderdads! by author-illustrator Maggie Edkins Willis. These two rhyming companion picture books celebrate the power of moms and dads and the infinite love they share with their kids. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Mallory Loehr at Random House has acquired, in a six-figure, two-book preempt, Jeff Drew's debut picture book, Alfie Explores A to Z. Alfie the bookworm takes readers on an adventure through the alphabet as he searches for his pet dust bunny, Betty, in this seek-and-find for fans of I Spy, Where's Waldo?, and Animalia. Maria Correa will co-edit. Publication is set for fall 2024, with a second book planned for 2025; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions sold world rights.
Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has bought, in a preempt, Fire Pig Penny by Amber Alvarez, in her author-illustrator debut. This picture book tells the true story of Park Slope's famous painting pig, and unlikely mascot of Fire Engine 239, who is making her mark on the hearts of New York City and beyond. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for North American rights.
Andrea Tompa at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to Ghungroos for Gauri, the authorial debut of illustrator Neha Rawat (Masala Chai, Fast and Slow). In this picture book about perseverance and self-acceptance, rough and tumble Gauri is drawn to her big sister's Bharatanatyam dance ghungroos, but is convinced that dance isn't meant for her. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Lori Steel at Red Fox Literary negotiated the deal.
Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has bought The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever by Sandra Salsbury. They tried lullabies, binkies, and cuddles, but now it's 3 a.m. and Baby has achieved a new level of consciousness. Every family who ever spent a sleepless night with a newborn will feel seen in this book about the uncanny ability of babies to stay awake forever. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Lindsay Auld at Writers House sold world rights.
Alex Borbolla at Bloomsbury has acquired world rights to Pieces of Home by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris (l.), illustrated by Eugenia Mello. On the last day in their Bronx neighborhood, two sisters visit their favorite spots on their block, collecting mementos and memories to carry with them always. Publication is set for spring 2025; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond Books has bought North American rights to Ring Ring by Susan Straub (l.), illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan, a celebration of the warm, supportive relationship between a grandson and his grandmother, told entirely through FaceTime conversations. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Janine Kamouh at WME represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Cecily Kaiser at RISE x Penguin Workshop has acquired world rights to You Are Loved by Kerri Kokias (l.), illustrated by London Ladd, a picture book celebration of the essential reassurance and unconditional love that surrounds each and every child in the natural world, in all its different forms. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Rosemary Brosnan and Cynthia Leitich Smith at HarperCollins/Heartdrum have bought North American rights to Mother Earth's Song by Kim Rogers (Wichita) (l.), illustrated by MaryBeth Timothy (Cherokee), a picture book ode to the passing of the seasons and Mother Earth's beauty. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Dena Neusner at Apples & Honey Press has acquired world rights to The Many Problems of Rochel-Leah by Jane Yolen (l.), illustrated by Felishia Henditirto, based on a story from Yolen’s family about a Jewish girl in 1830s Russia who wants to learn to read despite a strong tradition of teaching only boys. It’s scheduled for fall 2024; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown represented the author, and Kate Powell at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has bought world rights to ABC's for a Peaceful Me: A Mindfulness Seek-and-Find Book by Shelly Becker (l.), illustrated by Dan Yaccarino. Each illustration in the picture book focuses on a unique word promoting a healthy mind-body connection, with objects beginning with each letter to find. Publication is set for fall 2024; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired, in a two-book deal, in an exclusive submission, Best Day Ever by Lindsay Ward (l.) and Frank Tupta, a picture book in which Monday is sick of being the day that everyone dreads so she decides to switch places with everyone's favorite day, Saturday. Publication is slated for summer 2025 and winter 2026; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Jiahui Zhu at Yeehoo Press has bought Sally's Musical Tale by Rosie J. Pova (l.), illustrated by Claire Zhang. In this picture book about determination in the face of rejection, a snake's dream of playing the piano seems hands down impossible, but thinking outside the box may just pay off. Publication is planned for spring 2025; the author and the illustrator represented themselves.
