CBeebies’ Elliott adds Italy and Spain to rights remit

Claire Wilson at RCW has added Italian and Spanish rights to its haul for the Shadow Sky trilogy by CBeebies actor Joseph Elliott. A "rich fantasy" aimed at readers aged 10+, the trilogy is set in a pseudo-Britain during an age of warring clans and devastating plagues. Its protagonist, Agatha, has Down’s syndrome.

Annalie Grainger, commissioning editor of Walker Books UK, and Walker US editorial director Susan Van Metre acquired world English-language rights in a six-figure deal for The Good Hawk and two sequels, announced last week. The Italian and Spanish rights were pre-empted in "very significant deals", said Wilson.

Elliott is an actor known for his work in children’s television, including appearances on CBeebies series "Swashbuckle". Prior to becoming an actor, Elliott worked for
a company that specialised in delivering play schemes to children with special educational needs, and he also spent four years at the Federation of Westminster Special Schools, working primarily with children with autism spectrum disorder or Down’s syndrome. The children he met during this time inspired the creation of his protagonist Agatha.

Elliott told The Bookseller Daily: "It has been a whirlwind experience so far. I could never have dreamed the reaction I have had to the first book. I think there was interest from as many as nine publishers before Walker pre-empted. I clicked straight away with Annalie from Walker in the UK, and Susan [from Walker] in the US, and was on board with all of their editorial decisions.

"To sell Italian and Spanish rights actually blew my mind a bit—it’s a coincidence because I’m currently learning Italian, so I’ll be able to read my own book in the language," Elliott continued, adding: "Diversity and inclusion have always been close to my heart—it’s something I’m really passionate about."