Pushkin sells Japanese title for six-figure sum

Pushkin Children’s Books has sold the North American rights to The Beast Player series by Japanese author Nahoko Uehashi, translated by Cathy Hirano, in a six-figure deal.

Laura Godwin at Henry Holt/Godwin pre-empted North American rights for the two books in a deal with Allison Hellegers at Rights People, who was acting on behalf of Adam Freudenheim at Pushkin Press. Henry Holt/Godwin will publish book one in early 2019.

The Beast Player, published in the UK on 1st March, is about a girl who discovers she can speak to water serpents and flying beasts. This skill gives her great powers, but it also involves her in deadly plots that could cost her life.

Freudenheim said: “I’m thrilled that Laura Godwin was as charmed and impressed with this original and compelling series; my youngest daughter tore through the first book in a weekend and has been asking ever since about the sequel.”