Trapeze teams up with Battersea for Christmas titles

Trapeze is teaming up with animal charity Battersea on two branded fiction titles for Christmas.

Publishing director Sam Eades acquired world rights through Sarah Van Kirk at Battersea. The first book, The Nine Lives of Christmas, will be published in November 2019 with another to follow.

Battersea will support the book through marketing and publicity via its social media channels and through on site and online shop.

The Nine Lives of Christmas follows Battersea worker Laura as she tries to rehome difficult feline resident Felicia in time for Christmas. It is written by Florence McNicoll, the pen-name of Sophie Wilson, who worked at Transworld for five years as a commercial fiction editor before going freelance. Editorial director Phoebe Morgan will also work on the project.

Eades said: “I cannot think of a richer setting for fiction than the UK’s oldest and most famous animal rescue centres, with daily stories of rescue, love, miracles and hope to warm the coldest of hearts.”

McNicoll added: “I am delighted to be working with such a beloved and important charity, and look forward to bringing the fantastic work they do to life through the cast of The Nine Lives of Christmas.”