Andersen Press scoops two titles by award-winning Nicholls

Andersen Press has signed two more titles by Sally Nicholls for publication this autumn: Yours From the Tower and Godfather Death.

Yours From the Tower is described as a sparkling historical romance told through letters between three young women in Victorian England on the cusp of changes in their own lives and changes in society. Godfather Death is a “soul-stirring” gothic retelling of the Grimm fairy tales, illustrated by award-winning illustrator Júlia Sardà.

World rights for both were acquired by Charlie Sheppard, publishing director, from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. World rights for illustrations were acquired from Amy Kitcherside at Pickled Ink by Andersen Press’ Sue Buswell, picture book editorial director. Both books are scheduled for publication on 7th September.

Special-edition advance proofs of Yours From the Tower are making their way to the trade and press, with a “multi-layered” campaign planned for publication. US rights have been sold to Candlewick Press as part of a deal which included Nicholls’ previous novel The Silent Stars Go By.

The publisher says Godfather Death will be published in “lavish, foiled hardback” in time for the Christmas gift market. It will be accompanied by a major media and marketing campaign, including special, full-colour proofs for the trade that will appear in the summer.

Sheppard said: “Once again, working with Sally has been a fantastically rewarding experience and in Yours From the Tower and Godfather Death we have two incredibly different books to delight the trade with. This is a very exciting autumn for our award-winning superstar author.”

Nicholls’ previous books include Things a Bright Girl Can Do, which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, National Book Award, Books Are My Bag Readers’ Awards and the YA Book Prize, and The Silent Stars Go By.

She said: “Yours From the Tower is a story about a society on the cusp of great social change and the young people caught in the middle of it. It’s also a much lighter book than Things a Bright Girl Can Do and The Silent Stars Go By. Expect balls, love letters, adventures, an orphanage and several dashing young suitors.

"And I’ve been in love with the story of Godfather Death for two decades—it’s such a funny, dramatic story and it’s always a pleasure to tell. Júlia Sardà’s illustrations are absolutely incredible.”