Chicken House début bowls over Spanish list

Chicken House has accepted a blind pre-empt from Spanish publisher Roco for Witchborn, a teen fantasy novel by first-time author Nicholas Bowling.

Publishing in the UK in Septem-ber 2017, the story follows the adventures of Alyce, the daughter of an executed witch, who is on the run.

Barry Cunningham, publisher at Chicken House, had previously acquired world rights from Jane Willis at United Agents in a two-book deal.

He said: “Nicholas is an astonishing new voice in children’s fiction. We’re sure his mixture of magic and madness will be hugely popular.”

A sequel is planned to Witchborn, which is a lead title for Chicken House at this year’s fair.