Nosy Crow snaps up two novels from teacher

Nosy Crow has acquired two standalone middle-grade novels from London teacher Cath Howe.

Tom Bonnick, commissioning editor at the independent children's publisher, bought world rights from Anne Clark at the Anne Clark Literary Agency.

The first book, Ella on the Outside, which is Howe’s debut children’s title, is “a story of secrets, lies and blackmail” about a new girl at school who struggles to make friends and whose father is in prison. It is aimed at fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Anne Fine, aged between nine and 12, and will be published in February 2018.

Bonnick said: "I knew, from the moment I started reading Ella on the Outside, that there was something very special about it. A fantastically well-observed debut, it’s a gripping portrayal of school relationships with a quietly dark tone that’s perfectly balanced with warmth, kindness and humour.”

Howe lives in South West London and works with Key Stage 2 primary age children running workshops on writing and performing. The author said: "I’m really delighted that I have found a home with Nosy Crow for my books. I can see that their vision for the story chimes with my own, and I love the thought they put into making their books feel special for child readers." She added: "For myself, it’s great to be reaching a new and much wider audience after years of working with children in schools."