Andersen Press signs new 'evocative' story in a two-book deal from Phil Earle

Andersen Press has signed a new "richly evocative" story from British Book Award-winning Phil Earle, entitled The Dawn of Adonis.

Publishing director Charlie Sheppard acquired world rights in a two-book deal from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. Publishing in June 2025, Dawn of Adonis will be supported with an "extensive" marketing and publicity campaign, including a national proof drop, a year-long schedule of events and resources for schools and educators.

Set in Edwardian London, The Dawn of Adonis follows 12-year-old Nettie Beecroft who risks everything to rescue a baby gorilla who has been smuggled from the Congolese rainforest. In a "desperate quest", Nettie must face dangerous criminals including the "ruthless smuggler" Goliath Deeds and his accomplice Toff Squabble in a "an adventurous cat-and-mouse chase" across the city. The gorilla, named Adonis, also featured in Earle’s British Book Award-winning When the Sky Falls, set in 1941 London. In the novel, a young boy named Joseph lives at a zoo which is also home to a silverback gorilla, Adonis.