Joe Monti at Simon & Schuster has acquired Ken Liu's debut fantasy series, The Dandelion Dynasty, as the first project for its new (still unnamed) genre imprint for all ages. The story follows Kuni Garu, a charming bandit, and Mata Zyndu, the son of a deposed duke, who at first seem like polar opposites. But they become the best of friends after a series of adventures involving gods, massive armies, diverse cultures, numerous characters, politics, war, courtly intrigue, and love. Liu has garnered multiple awards for his short stories, including "The Paper Menagerie," the only story to have received the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards. Russell Galen at Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights to three books, a short story collection, and audio rights.
Maria Modugno at Random House Children's Books has acquired U.S., Canadian, and non-exclusive open-market rights to Don't Blink by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Duck! Rabbit!), illustrated by Kelly Light (the forthcoming Louise Loves Art). The comedic bedtime book promises children that they can stay up as long as they follow very specific instructions. No publication date has been set; Amy Rennert of the Amy Rennert Agency negotiated on behalf of Krouse Rosenthal, and Elizabeth Harding negotiated for Light.
Anne Schwartz at Random House's Schwartz & Wade imprint has bought world rights to Lillian's Right to Vote by Jonah Winter and Shane Evans. In the picture book, an elderly African-American woman exercises her right to vote, and remembers past generations who fought hard so that she could have that right. Publication is scheduled for fall 2015; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown represented Winter and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented Evans.
Margaret Raymo at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt preempted world English rights to Elaine Dimopoulos's debut YA novel, Eco-Chic. Told from the points of view of two characters – Ivy Wilde, a Miley Cyrus-type manufactured pop star, and Marla Klein, a talented fashionista who has been elevated to being an arbiter of taste and trends for the masses – the story explores high fashion and the cult of celebrity, in a world where staying young and trendy are the keys to success. The novel is set for spring 2015; Edward Necarsulmer IV at Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency did the deal.
Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has bought world rights to Shelley Pearsall's middle-grade novel Metallic, scheduled for publication in fall 2015. When 14-year-old Arthur T. Owens throws a brick at an old trash picker known as the Junk Man, he is forced to work for the victim as punishment. As Arthur searches for the things on the Junk Man's assigned list of Seven Most Important Things, he comes closer to uncovering the Junk Man's secret project. The novel is based on the true story of outsider artist James Hampton, who spent 14 years secretly building a throne out of materials he collected from the trash. Steven Malk at Writers House brokered the deal.
Katherine Harrison at Knopf has acquired Placebo Junkies by J.C. Carlson (The Tyrant's Daughter, February 2014), a gritty YA novel in the vein of Trainspotting, about street kids who make a living as test subjects in clinical drug trials. The novel is based on real accounts of "professional guinea pigs," and will be published in fall 2015. Jessica Regel of Foundry Literary + Media did the deal for North American rights.
Dan Ehrenhaft at Soho Teen has acquired From Where I Watch You, a debut YA novel by Shannon Grogan. The story is about a girl who dreams of becoming a professional baker, but finds herself haunted by the ghost of her dead sister and pursued by a mystery stalker whose cryptic notes suggest he knows far too much about her. Publication is planned for spring 2015. Sarah Davies at the Greenhouse Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights, including film and TV.
