Avon to publish 'heart-warming home front read' from Taylor

HarperCollins imprint Avon Books will publish Gracie Taylor's historical novel Edie’s Home for Strays. 

The publisher acquired world all language rights (including dramatic) from Laura Longrigg at MBA Literary Agents. The title will be published as Edie’s Home for Orphans in North America. 

The novel is set in World War Two and was originally inspired by the true story of Ferne Animal Sanctuary set up by the Duchess of Hamilton, who realised that with so many going to war, a lot of animals lacked homes to take care of them. 

Tilda McDonald, senior commissioning editor at Avon, said: "I cried a lot of happy tears reading Edie’s Home for Strays, which is a brilliantly uplifting, heart-warming home front read that will appeal to all animal lovers."

Taylor commented: "It was a joy and privilege to tell Edie’s story while she fights to do her bit as a land girl in wartime Cumberland. I’m very excited to be working with Tilda and the team at Avon to bring this tale of home front courage to readers. I do hope they enjoy spending time with Edie and her friends, both two- and four-legged, as much as I did."

Gracie Taylor is a pen name for Mary Jayne Baker, author of The Never Have I Ever Club (Aria, 2020). Baker also writes women's fiction under the pen name Lisa Swift, most recently The School of Starting Over (Canelo Hera, 2020). This is her first historical novel.