Scientific writer snapped up by Hachette Children's

Hachette Children’s Group has bought a middle-grade novel from scientific writer Sharon Cohen.

The publisher’s imprint Quercus Children’s Books acquired The Starman and Me as the first in a two-book world English language rights deal. Sarah Lambert, editorial director at Quercus, acquired it at auction from Hellie Ogden at Janklow & Nesbit UK. The novel will be published in August 2017.

It follows 12-year-old Kofi who spots a prehistoric human, Rorty Thrutch, on a supermarket roundabout.

Lambert said: “Sharon Cohen is an outstanding new talent in writing for children and I am thrilled to be publishing her on the Quercus Children’s Books list. E.T. meets Stig of the Dump, The Starman and Me is a gripping adventure story for nine plus readers which also takes in the wonder of science, of who we are, and of where we come from – it’s a story which affirms the importance of caring for each other, regardless of our differences. It couldn’t be more timely or important.”

Ogden said: "We’re delighted to be bringing The Starman and Me to life with the team at Quercus Children’s Books. Sharon brings a unique voice to the middle-grade scene, intertwining her scientific background with the magic of imagination in a book that we all believe is a modern classic in the making.”

After graduating with a first-class science degree and a doctorate “earned catching swans and studying their parasites”, Cohen became a scientific writer. She also completed the Open University Children’s Literature course.