Nosy Crow's Blog, page 112

Win a proof copy of Evie’s Ghost!

Last week we revealed the beautiful cover for Evie’s Ghost,  the new book from Helen Peters, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted The Secret Hen House Theatre and the highly acclaimed Jasmine Green series for younger readers.

And today, we’re giving you the chance to win one of five proof copies of the book – three months before the book will appear in shops!

To win one of these proof copies of the book, just head over to the @NosyCrowBooks Twitter feed, follow @NosyCrowBooks, and re-tweet this message.

Part Gosford Park, part Charlotte Sometimes, and part The Go-Between, this is an absolutely brilliant time-slip story – spine-tingling, moving, funny and heartbreaking.

Here’s the beautiful cover for the book:

Evie’s been sent to stay with her ancient grandmother in an old creaky house in the middle of nowhere. Her phone is broken and she can’t believe how hugely unfair everything is.

Then, on the first night, Evie sees a strange, ghostly figure at the window. Spooked, she flees from the room, feeling oddly disembodied as she does so.

Out in the corridor, it’s 1814 and Evie finds herself dressed as a housemaid. Little does she know that she’ll need all her cunning to fix the past and stop everything falling apart in the future…

We’ll pick five winners in our proof giveaway competition at random on Friday – good luck!

A New Chapter: from Bookselling to Publishing

For many years I was a bookseller. I worked as one, on and off, since 2009 actually. Once a bookseller, always a bookseller. Now, I have the immense good fortune to work for Nosy Crow, assisting Tom Bonnick as Digital Publishing and Marketing Assistant. But I still think like a bookseller, and I hope I always will.

During my time as a bookseller, I slowly read my way around the world, absorbing different cultures, different styles of writing, and had some truly rewarding conversations with customers: recommending new books, discussing old ones, talking about literature and life and realising there was very little that separated them. Customers turned to books to seek comfort, to be challenged, for laughter, knowledge, and escape. All sorts of reasons.

They very often brought their children with them, too. Recommending children’s books is a complex game. A fine balance has to be reached between what the child wants and what the adult — usually the one with the money — deems suitable. Add to that a sprinkling of different reading abilities. Mix in the occasional ‘reluctant reader’, a pinch of dyslexia, and a dash of end-of-the-day tantrum. Stir well.

Grown-ups, by virtue of being grown-up, can say: “No thanks, no books for me”, but almost all parents would like their child to be an avid reader, and to keep reading as they get older. Children, because they are not grown-up, often have to go along with it, whether they’d like to or not. When I helped them choose their next book, I wanted them to feel like they were opening up a treasure map, getting on a train to a mysterious destination, falling down the rabbit hole.

I love the time I spent as a bookseller. I grew relationships and built up trust, because I knew what they liked, and what was out there in the market, because they’d quickly come back and tell me when I’d got it wrong (they aren’t shy), but also when I’d nailed it. But when they trust you, they come back with their children, they tell their friends, their colleagues, their book group. They’d pop in on their way to the supermarket to tell you that they’re halfway through and can’t wait to get home and find out how it all ends.

I always knew I wanted to work with books, and help create absorbing, fun, and fantastical tales that would captivate a new generation of readers. Working at Nosy Crow presents a myriad of different ways in which I can help do this. I have spent my first few weeks working across audio books, social media and digital marketing, and after sitting in on a meeting, I also saw how our apps enhance narratives through interactive play, marrying traditional storytelling with a tech-savvy age.

Some people do a Publishing MA, others run the gamut of unpaid/low-paid/expenses-only internships, some can even do both. Whichever way you try and edge your foot in the door, it’s nearly always tough. Publishing really is a wonderful industry and the number of immensely bright and talented applicants is never in short supply. My flight to the Crow’s Nest was a little less straightforward but I hope can serve as a rewarding alternative for other aspiring young publishers, especially those who, like me, come from outside of London and from, shall we say, more ‘humble’ origins.

Although there’s still a ridiculous disparity between London and almost anywhere else in the UK, I am elated to see that this dynamic is gradually becoming a priority and slowly starting to change. If the Spare Room Project, launched in 2016 with support from the Publisher’s Association, had existed before I’d taken the plunge and moved to London, I would have been one of the first to apply and a very loud advocate for the scheme. Though this blog post isn’t intended to be yet another exposition on the harsh reality facing many aspiring publishers outside of London, it is important to keep talking about such barriers to regional diversity.

Through bookselling, I immersed myself in trade publishing: walking the industry’s frontline and engaging with readers of all ages and tastes. It taught me a tremendous amount, all while paying me a salary that allowed me, a London newcomer, to independently sustain myself. I’m not saying this is a better way that the more obvious routes — but it’s certainly another way, and an incredible way at that.

I am so thrilled to start a new chapter at Nosy Crow, working on dynamic and inventive children’s books, audio, and apps, but I will never forger the wonderful chapter that came before. My story wouldn’t have got here without it.

Nosy Crow has been shortlisted for four IPG Independent Publishing Awards!

The IPG Independent Publishing Award shortlists have been announced, and we are absolutely delighted to discover that Nosy Crow have been shortlisted for four awards!

We’ve been shortlisted for the Children’s Publisher of the Year Award (which we have won previously in 2012, 2013 and 2016), against Bloomsbury and Walker. In their commendation, the IPG said: “Nosy Crow, a three-time winner of this Award in its first six years, had another remarkable year of growth. Judges noted its innovation in digital, high production values, proactive publishing partnerships and lively marketing and publicity. It excelled on the international stage too, and managed its growing backlist brilliantly. “There’s so much energy at Nosy Crow, and the backlist sales are exceptional for a relatively new company,” judges said.”

We’ve been shortlisted for the International Achievement Award, against Kogan Page, Oneworld and Pavilion. In their commendation, the IPG said: “Nosy Crow is shortlisted here for the fifth time in six years. It had another outstanding year of international business in 2016, doubling sales in the US and Asia and making more than half its turnover outside the UK. It added several hundred coedition and rights deals, and launched a rights newsletter for global publishers. “The sense of energy at Nosy Crow is incredible—it goes at international sales hammer and tongs,” judges noted.”

We’ve been shortlisted for the Digital Marketing Award, against How2Become and Jessica Kingsley. In their commendation, the IPG said: “Nosy Crow, winner of this Award in 2014 and 2015, is nominated after again pushing the boundaries of digital marketing. It relaunched its newsletters, added to its Stories Aloud digital audio content and blogged daily, further increasing traffic to its lively website and social media platforms. “Nosy Crow really knows what it wants to achieve from its marketing and has brilliant author engagement. It does what it does so well,” judges said.”

And Ola Gotkowska, Nosy Crow’s Rights Manager, has been shortlisted for the Young Independent Publisher of the Year Award. In their commendation, the IPG said: “Ola Gotkowska of Nosy Crow has been instrumental in the phenomenal international performance of the fast growing children’s publisher. As rights manager she steered several hundred coedition and rights deals in 2016, constantly turning up new markets and giving Nosy Crow a high profile in eastern Europe in particular. “Rights is such an important part of publishing, and Ola builds on her impressive successes every year,” judges said.”

You can find out more about all of the award shortlists here – the winners of the awards will be announced at the gala dinner of the IPG Annual Spring Conference, on February 9th.

Wish us luck!

Come to the next Nosy Crow Reading Group – we’re discussing The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson

Would you like to come along to the next Nosy Crow Reading Group?

In February we’ll be discussing The Goldfish Boy, the debut novel by Lisa Thompson, which Kirkus, in a starred review, described as “Rear Window for middle graders … a middle-grade whodunit with a very special heart”.

We’ll be meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd at 6.30pm, here at the Nosy Crow offices – 10a Lant Street, London, SE1 1QR – for a discussion of the book (along with wine and crisps). If you’d like to come along, just register for a place with the form below, or at this page.

You can order The Goldfish Boy online from Waterstones here – and here’s a trailer for the book:

We hope you can join us!

Take a look inside The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight Training

This May we’re enormously pleased to be publishing The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight Training – the first book in a hilarious new ‘faction’ series with the National Trust, written by Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning author Philip Ardagh, and with brilliant artwork in a hugely appealing, contemporary style from Jamie Littler, illustrator of Hamish and the Worldstoppers.

With a fantastic balance of great characters, exciting plot, and interesting, accessible historical facts woven into the story, this is PERFECT for fans of Horrible Histories – and today, you can take a look inside the book for the first time, with a special sneak preview!

John Drawbridge has moved to Widemoat Castle to learn to become a knight. And there is a LOT to learn. How to charge with a lance on horseback without falling off. Why the spiral staircases always go up in a clockwise direction. How to defend the castle against invading parties. Why the plates served at banquets are made of stale bread (and why you shouldn’t eat them…). And so much, MUCH more. So it’s no wonder that John decides to keep a diary (even if it is only an imaginary one…) of his time at the castle. Things REALLY liven up when the castle is attacked by an invading Welsh party – but can John foil their plot before it’s too late…?

Here’s a very first look inside the book:

The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge won’t be publishing until May – but if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning an exclusive proof copy of the book, sign up to our books newsletter, either at this page or with the form below – we’ll be giving away some rare proofs in a competition for subscribers next week.

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Take a look inside next month’s new books!

We’ve got a fantastic collection of new books coming out next month – from novelty books for the very young, to gripping middle grade thrillers, there’s something for everyone! Here’s a look at what’s coming out in February from Nosy Crow…

We’ll be publishing Can You Say it Too? Cheep! Cheep!, illustrated by Sebastien Braun, next month – the latest book in the fantastic Can You Say It Too? series. As all parents know, very little children love to play ‘I-Spy’, but they also adore making animal sounds. So a flap book in which they can spot a bit of an animal, lift the flap to reveal the complete creature, and then make its noise is guaranteed to be a winner! Sturdy flaps and simple texts combine with friendly artwork in these fantastic first books that are great for sharing with children who are just starting to talk.

Flip Flap Dogs, illustrated by Nikki Dyson, will be in shops next month – a very silly but absolutely engaging doggy book that will charm the whole family. What do you get when you cross a Labrador with a Beagle? A Labradeagle, of course! What about a Terrier with a Dalmatian? Why, that’s a Terratian!

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We’ll be publishing Neon Leon, written by Jane Clarke and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup, next month. Everyone knows that chameleons are the best at tting in. But not Leon. Leon is NEON! In fact, he’s SO bright that he keeps all the other chameleons awake. Poor Leon is lonely, so off he goes in search of somewhere he can blend in. In this delightful interactive book, filled with vibrant neon artwork, children can help Leon on his journey by counting his steps, suggesting colours for him to turn and giving him lots of reassurance when he’s feeling sad. But will he ever find a place to call home …? Here’s a look inside the book:

And we’ll also be publishing a brand new paperback edition of Don’t Wake Up Tiger by Britta Teckentrup next month! Tiger is fast asleep, but – oh dear! – she’s completely in the way. Just how will the animals get past without waking her up? Luckily, Frog has an excellent idea – he holds his balloon and floats right over sleeping Tiger! Fox is next, followed by Tortoise, Mouse and Stork – but it will be tricky for them all to get past without Tiger stirring… This is an absolutely stunning, wonderfully interactive picture book – with a charming text, stylish art, and bright, shiny spot UV balloons throughout, its perfect for the very young. Here’s a look inside:

We’re enormously pleased to be publishing Rose Campion and the Curse of the Doomstone by Lyn Gardner next month – the second gripping instalment in the THRILLING Campion series.

Business has never been better for Campion’s Palace of Variety and Wonders – and the music hall is about to open its doors to its biggest act yet: the Illustrious Gandini, the stage magician known as the Great Wizard of the North. But when the Doomstone Diamond – a priceless jewel with a disturbing history – is stolen during one of Gandini’s performances, Campion’s finds itself under threat once more, and Rose Campion and her friends will need all their wits about them as they dash across Victorian London – from high society gatherings to the depths of Newgate prison – in a desperate bid to solve the mystery of the stolen Doomstone Diamond, and save Rose’s beloved home, Campion’s Music Hall, from closure!

Set against a brilliant backdrop of smoky, foggy, fin-de-siecle London, filled with fantastic theatrical detail, and with a cast of rogues worthy of Agatha Christie, this is a can’t-put-it-down mystery from a master storyteller that will have you guessing until the final chapter. Here’s a look inside the book:

And finally, next month will see publication of Zoe’s Rescue Zoo: The Scruffy Sea Otter – the latest brilliant story in the phenomenally successful Zoe’s Rescue Zoo series written by Amelia Cobb and illustrated by Sophy Williams.

Zoe is SO excited when Great Uncle Horace brings THREE gorgeous sea otter pups to live at the Rescue Zoo! The orphaned pups are very fluffy and cheeky – and the youngest pup, Sasha, is the cheekiest and fluffiest of all. Zoe uses her special skills to talk to the otters and gets to know them all very well. But Sasha feels sad when her older, more confident, siblings are chosen to take part in a special otter display. Can Zoe and Meep persuade Sasha the scruffy sea otter not to give up and to bring her own special skills to the show?

These are a great introduction to chapter books for 5-7 year olds – brilliantly-written series fiction with a fantastic premise. Here’s a look inside the book:

If you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter at this page, or with form below, and you’ll never miss a thing.

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Here’s the cover for Evie’s Ghost, the new book from Helen Peters

This April we are very proud to be publishing Evie’s Ghost – the new book from Helen Peters, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted The Secret Hen House Theatre and the highly acclaimed Jasmine Green series for younger readers.

Proof copies of the book have just arrived in the office – and today we’re incredibly pleased to unveil the new book’s BEAUTIFUL cover, illustrated by the amazing Daniela Tetrazzini.

Evie’s been sent to stay with her ancient grandmother in an old creaky house in the middle of nowhere. Her phone is broken and she can’t believe how hugely unfair everything is.

Then, on the first night, Evie sees a strange, ghostly figure at the window. Spooked, she flees from the room, feeling oddly disembodied as she does so.

Out in the corridor, it’s 1814 and Evie finds herself dressed as a housemaid. Little does she know that she’ll need all her cunning to fix the past and stop everything falling apart in the future…

Part Gosford Park, part Charlotte Sometimes, and part The Go-Between, this is an absolutely brilliant time-slip story – spine-tingling, moving, funny and heartbreaking.

And here’s the beautiful cover for the book:

If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning an exclusive proof copy of Evie’s Ghost, sign up to our books newsletter, either at this page or with the form below – we’ll be giving away some proofs in a competition for subscribers next week.

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Two Nosy Crow books longlisted for the Amazing Book Awards

The longlist for the 2017 Amazing Book Awards has been announced, and we’re absolutely thrilled to see two Nosy Crow titles included on the list!

The Sussex Coast Schools Amazing Book Awards is a book award set up at the start of 2011 by a small group of school librarians from West Sussex – with the books on the longlist chosen entirely by students.

And this year both The Many Worlds of Albie Bright, by Christopher Edge, and Petunia Perry and the Curse of the Ugly Pigeon, written by Pamela Butchart and illustrated by Gemma Correll, have been longlisted!

Frank Cottrell Boyce called The Many Worlds of Albie Bright “A book with a big brain, big laughs and a big, big heart.” The Times, naming the book a Children’s Book of the Week, wrote: “Christopher Edge has written a clever story infused with science that wears its intelligence humorously, introduces complex ideas with the lightest of touches … Give the man his own element on the periodic table of children’s authors.”

Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book online.

Previously shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards (Lollies), Petunia Perry and the Curse of the Ugly Pigeon is an absolutely hilarious novel about how to fit in when you don’t want to conform. Petunia Perry has decided to write her memoirs. She wants the world to know what it’s like to start secondary school with a best friend who stages one-person flash mobs in the canteen, a mother who over-shares at parents’ evenings and an unwelcome suitor who draws pictures of her as a unicorn. But it’s when she decides to start a band with a spoon-player and a lead-singer who’s a cat that things take a turn for the truly crazy…

Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

You can find out more about the Amazing Book Awards here – the winner will be announced in June. Congratulations, Pamela, Gemma, and Chris – and good luck!

It’s our first publication day of 2017!

Today’s a very exciting day: it’s our first publication day of 2017! We’re getting the year off to an excellent start with some fantastic new books out this month – here’s what you can find in shops today!

We’re launching a wonderful new novelty series this month – Felt Flaps, illustrated by Ingela Arrhenius. Vibrant board books with an animal hiding on every spread – just peek behind the bright felt flap!  With bold graphic artwork, these textile sensory reads are perfect for sharing with babies and toddlers and have a fantastic mirror reveal on the final page.

The first two books in the series are Where’s Mr Lion? and Where’s Mrs Ladybird? – here’s what to look for in shops:

Buy the book.

Buy the book.

We’re publishing a brand new cased board book edition of Littleland: All Year Round today – the third title in the Littleland series, beautifully illustrated by Marion Billet.

Loosely following the months of the year, this colourful, busy book follows the little ones as they take part in seasonal activities, from visiting the spring lambs to paddling on the beach to cooking for an autumn feast. With a ‘Can you see?’ feature on every spread and a simple, conversational narrative, this is the perfect step on from board books. Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

And there’s also a brand new cased board book edition of I Love You, written by Clemency Pearce and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, out now! In this beautiful board book, toddlers will love repeating the three special words that can help them if they’re feeling sad, grumpy or shy. With delightful illustrations of adorable animal families, this comforting story reassures children that their mummies and daddies will always be there for them with hugs and kisses through all life’s little challenges. Here’s what to look for in shops:

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Buy the book.

It’s publication day for Dave’s Rock – the highly anticipated follow-up to the hilarious and hugely acclaimed Dave’s Cave, written and illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon.

In this funny and stylishly illustrated follow-up, two loveable cavemen endeavour to make their rocks the very best they can – inventing, in the process, something really rather remarkable. It’s another brilliantly funny, clever picture book – PERFECT for reading aloud. Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

We’re incredibly pleased to be publishing I’m In Charge! today – a fantastic new picture book by Jeanne Willis and Jarvis, the amazing duo behind Poles Apart.

When Rhino finds a mango tree bursting with fruit, he isn’t about to share it with anyone – after all, he’s in charge round here! But it looks like things are about to change . . .

With brilliant illustrations from Jarvis, and a hilarious story, this brilliantly funny toddler-tantrum tale is all about being bossy and learning to listen to others – a romping story starring a little rhino who likes to make the rules! Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

The first paperback edition of Love…, by Emma Dodd, is out now – with flurries of foil throughout and featuring a tenderly-told rhyming text and heartwarming illustrations, this beautifully-designed picture book will soon become a bedtime favourite. Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

It’s publication day for the fifth book in the fantastic Secret Rescuers series, written by Paula Harrison and illustrated by Sophy Williams – The Secret Rescuers: The Star Wolf. Set in a fantasy world populated by dragons, unicorns, and firebirds, this superbly-realised series for 7+ year olds is packed with magical adventures and baby creatures in peril.

In a magical kingdom far, far away it’s up to a small group of secret rescuers to keep magical creatures safe from the grasp of the evil Sir Fitzroy and to keep passing on the secret challenge to new girls.

The beautiful forest that Emma lives in is home to the star wolves. Each evening, the wolves’ magical song makes the stars appear in the sky. One autumn day, Emma rescues a star wolf pup from a trap. She begins a search for the little pup’s family. But mean Lord Hector is trying to catch all the star wolves – he hates magical creatures and has a horrible potion to prevent the star wolves from singing. Can Emma rescue the star wolf pack from Lord Hector before the stars stop shining at night? Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

And finally, Emerald Secret by Susan Moore is out today – the sequel to Crimson Poison, and the second book in the Nat Walker trilogy. This is another exciting, fast-paced and action-packed adventure – full of high-tech gadgetry and fun.

Nat is perched on the prow of the Junko as it glides up the Thames one cold, drizzly night. London is to be her home for the next year, and it looks to be a strange and uninviting place after the bright lights and fast pace of Hong Kong. Little does Nat know that she and her dragon-robot, Fizz, are at the start of their second adventure, one that will see them become lost in the high-tech world of one of her father’s games and seeking out a long-lost Chinese sword.

Secrets that have been kept hidden for decades will be revealed and Nat will learn some startling things about her family, her future and herself . . . Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy the book.

Congratulations to all of today’s authors and illustrators!

If you’d like to stay up to date with all of our new book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter at this page, or with the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing.

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Take a first look inside Rose Campion and the Curse of the Doomstone!

Next month, we’ll be publishing Rose Campion and the Curse of the Doomstone by Lyn Gardner: packed with atmosphere, theatricality and intrigue, this is the second gripping instalment in the THRILLING Campion series – the follow-up to the incredible Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret.

Finished copies of the book have just arrived in the office, and they look absolutely STUNNING – and today, you can take a first look inside, with an exclusive preview of the opening two chapters!

Business has never been better for Campion’s Palace of Variety and Wonders – and the music hall is about to open its doors to its biggest act yet: the Illustrious Gandini, the stage magician known as the Great Wizard of the North. But when the Doomstone Diamond – a priceless jewel with a disturbing history – is stolen during one of Gandini’s performances, Campion’s finds itself under threat once more, and Rose Campion and her friends will need all their wits about them as they dash across Victorian London – from high society gatherings to the depths of Newgate prison – in a desperate bid to solve the mystery of the stolen Doomstone Diamond, and save Rose’s beloved home, Campion’s Music Hall, from closure!

Here’s a very first look inside the book:

Set against a brilliant backdrop of smoky, foggy, fin-de-siecle London, filled with fantastic theatrical detail, and with a cast of rogues worthy of Agatha Christie, this is a can’t-put-it-down mystery from a master storyteller that will have you guessing until the final chapter.

Rose Campion and the Curse of the Doomstone will be available in shops in February – if you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our books newsletter at this page, or with the form below, and you’ll never miss a thing.

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