Cranachan Publishing signs debut author Joan Haig

Scottish publisher Cranachan has signed debut author Joan Haig to its middle-grade imprint, Pokey Hat, for her first title Tiger Skin Rug.

The book, due out in February 2020, is a middle-grade adventure tale with hints of fantasy that navigates both Indian and Scottish landscapes and cultures. 

Annie Glennie, publisher at Carnachan, acquired Tiger Skin Rug in a world rights deal directly from the author. Glennie said: “Tiger Skin Rug is a wonderful addition to the Pokey Hat imprint; it adds a very welcome splash of light fantasy and a diversity in terms of characters and locations. A thrilling adventure, where the children are in charge, it is also a gift for the classroom – an exciting, whole-class read that can also be used a springboard for learning about India, other customs and cultures, and Hinduism in particular. The novel also explores the concept of home and what that means to each character – such an appropriate theme for today.”

Haig is an academic-turned-children’s author, who began writing after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Tiger Skin Rug is her first novel and is set to bolster Cranachan’s Pokey Hat list, which was established in early 2016.