Chicken House snaps up ‘astonishing’ debut from Townsend

Chicken House has landed The Map of Leaves, the debut novel from “astonishing" new writer Yarrow Townsend.  

Editorial director Rachel Leyshon acquired world rights from Jenny Savill at Andrew Nurnberg Associates. The Map of Leaves will be a lead title for Chicken House, to be published in May 2022. 

The Map of Leaves follows Orla as she sets out to find a cure to the sickness sweeping through the land, armed only with her mother’s book of plants and remedies. Its blurb states: “Orla has lived on her own since Ma died, with only her beloved garden for company. When sickness comes and nature is blamed, Orla knows she must find a cure. Armed with her mother’s book of plants and remedies, she steals away on a riverboat with two other stowaways, Idris and Ariana. Soon the trio must navigate the rapids of the Inkwater to a poisonous place from which they may never return …”   

After working as a teacher and then as a stable-hand, Yarrow completed an MA in writing for young people at Bath Spa University, before returning to nature and working in the forest with the RSPB. Yarrow now lives on a narrowboat, travelling the canals with her garden on the roof.   

Townsend said: “The Map of Leaves has found the perfect home at Chicken House. Orla’s story came about long before the pandemic, and to bring it to life during this tough time, under the guidance of such an expert team, has been a delight. I hope Orla and her plants help readers to find joy in even the muddiest, foggiest places.” 

Leyshon added: “Very rarely, you read the first page of a new submission and just know you have to acquire it. I had this instant reaction to Yarrow Townsend’s writing first thing on a Monday morning – and then had to sweat it out until the deal was done! The Map of Leaves is set in a world where plants talk, friendship is hard-won, and there’s adventure around every bend of the river. Yarrow is a soulful author who means every word.”