Our children’s writers have been making us incredibly proud, in another wonderful week for the MM Agency.

This week’s gorgeous featured cover is Another Life (Penguin Random House / Michael Joseph) by Jodie Chapman, a stunning debut documenting the unforgettable thrill of young love. We meet the heavily sheltered Anna, who begins a passionate secret love affair with Nick. But when faced with leaving her family and way of life for him, Anna walks away – until a tragedy reawakens their yearning for each other decades later.

The decadent cover for From a Paris Balcony (Bookouture) by Ella Carey was also revealed this week. This is the third and final instalment in the stunning Secrets of Paris trilogy – it follows a young woman who becomes captivated by the life and times of a famed 19th Century Parisian courtesan, with a mysterious link to her distant ancestor.

Excited does not even begin to describe how over the moon we are that not one, not two, but four of our talented children’s and YA authors are in the running for the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal! The books for this prestigious, decades-old award are selected based on their overall contribution to an “outstanding reading experience.”  Without further ado, we want to wish a hearty congratulations to the following authors:

Holly Bourne for  The Places I’ve Cried in Public (Usborne), a stirring account of domestic abuse in teenage relationships.

Sarah Hagger-Holt for  Nothing Ever Happens Here (Usborne), a heart-warming Middle Grade read about a young girl who’s dad comes out as a trans woman.

Danielle Jawando for And the Stars Were Burning Brightly (Simon & Schuster), an electric, heart-breaking exploration of teen bullying and suicide.

Kate Weston for Diary of a Confused Feminist (Hodder Children’s Books), a knee-slapping comedy following one teenage girl’s quest to become the perfect feminist, whilst just about surviving secondary school.

And in publication news, Damaris Young’s The Creature Keeper (Scholastic) was released this week. Her second book is a Middle Grade adventure with a creepy charm – it follows young Clara, who takes a new post at the spooky new manor house, Direspire Hall, where creatures lurk in the shadows…

Laurence Anholt‘s Festival of Death (Little Brown / Constable Crime) has also been published; the second book in his stellar Mindful Detective crime series sees Buddhist DI Vincent Caine attempt to crack the suspicious case of a musician electrocuted live onstage at a festival.

The Canadian paperback edition of Fiona Barton‘s newest thriller, The Suspect, has additionally been released by Penguin Random House Canada. This gripping read unravels the case of two young women who go missing whilst on holiday, and the explosive fallout this triggers for their families.

We want to wish a warm congratulations to Annabel Friedlein has been highly commended in the 2020 HWA Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Award, for her entry, Mavourneen.

In more stellar children’s news, Phil Hickes‘ The Haunting of Aveline Jones (Usborne) has been selected as The Times’ children’s book of the week. It’s no surprise that this ghostly Middle Grade mystery continues to win over critics!

We love independent booksellers, which is why we’ve been so inspired to see superstar YA and adult fiction writer, Holly Bourne, launch the #SignForOurBookShops online campaign, in which over 200 writers (including many of our own) have pledged to send signed bookplates to customers who buy their titles through UK bookshops, in a bid to support them over the lockdown period:

You can find Stephanie Wrobel in Dead Good Books, talking about her favourite chilling winter read. Before you rush out to buy it, why not take a look at Stephanie’s stunning suspense novel, The Recovery of Rose Gold (Penguin Random House / Michael Joseph)?

Michelle Adams’ Little Wishes (Orion / Trapeze) has been fittingly featured in Popsugar’s round-up of  the best ‘New Romance Reads’ to keep you warm this month. You’ll soon see why, upon reading this achingly romantic story of long-lost love, which will hit shelves on the 17th November.

C.J. Tudor’s The Other People, which was recently released in US paperback by Penguin Random House / Ballantine, has been included in The Washington Post’s round-up of the must-read October paperback releases. Be sure to get a copy of this hair-raising supernatural thriller.

Our very own agent, Catherine Cho, as many will be aware is also the published author of the arresting memoir, Inferno, which was published back in March. We are so proud to share that she has made the 2020 Sunday Times/University of Warwick Young Writer of the Year shortlist. If you haven’t read Inferno yet, we can assure you that it is one of the most phenomenal titles you’ll pick up this year, so please do purchase a copy now.

Emma Stonex made a wonderful appearance at Picador’s ‘New Voices Night’, treating attendees to a captivating read-aloud of her upcoming book, The Lamplighters  (Pan Macmillan / Picador). We can hardly wait for the release of this ethereal story of three lighthouse keepers who disappear without a trace – out on the 16th March 2021!

Inga Vesper, whose debut novel The Long, Long Afternoon is published by Manilla Press in February 2021, appeared at the Bonnier Fiction Showcase last night, being interviewed alongside Stacey Halls. Inga also read the opening of her compelling book club mystery.

Ella Carey has been storming the charts this week! Her sweeping wartime novel, Paris Time Capsule (Bookouture) has been capturing hearts across the pond – the title peaked at no.1 on Canada’s Kindle chart and no.9 in the US Kindle chart, as well as claiming the top spot in the sub-categories of Sisters Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Historical Biographical Fiction.

Imogen Clark‘s The Last Piece also made a splash on the Kindle charts; the title topped Australia’s overall Kindle chart this week, and several sub-categories including Women’s Fiction and Contemporary Fiction.

As you’ll know from our socials, we’ve welcomed an adorable new addition to the MM Agency team! Maple the puppy had her first day in the office – and appears to be quite at home already!

 

And of course, our phenomenal IRD continues to make fantastic international deals, including the following this week:

Chinese rights to Freya Sampson’s The Last Library have gone to FDRC.

Croatian rights to Emma Stonex’s The Lamplighters have gone to V.B.Z.

Bulgarian rights to Stephanie Wrobel‘s The Recovery of Rose Gold have gone to KRYG Publishing House.