HCG signs Little Rebels Award winner Zanib Mian in three-book deal

Zanib Mian, who won the Little Rebels Award in 2018 with her self-published book The Muslims, has signed a three-book deal with Hachette Children’s Group (HCG).

The first book in the series, which is for middle-grade readers, will be called Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet and is based on the original The Muslims text. It will be illustrated throughout by Indonesia-based artist Nasaya Mafaridik and published on the Hodder Children’s Books imprint in April 2019.

Kate Agar, editorial director of young and illustrated fiction, signed world rights from Jessica Craig of the Craig Literary Agency.

“I’m so grateful that the Little Rebels Award brought Zanib Mian to my attention – she’s incredibly talented and fun to work with,” said Agar. “Her voice is filled with a warmth and humour that will immediately hook readers into Omar’s world. The whole team feels honoured that Zanib chose Hachette Children’s Group as her publisher, and excited to develop this series with her. We’re delighted to have paired her with debut illustrator, Nasaya Mafaridik, whose creative vision for the package perfectly matches Zanib’s own.”

Mian is an author and published The Muslims via her own publishing company, Sweet Apple Publishers, which specialises in inclusive books. She is working with HCG to revise and add to the original text, and the edits will add more warmth and depth to the story, giving greater insight into Omar’s life at home, and his new friendships at school, according to the publisher.