Children's author Polly Ho-Yen joins Titan with adult debut

Titan Books has signed Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and Blue Peter Book Award shortlisted author Polly Ho-Yen's debut adult novel. 

A former primary school teacher, Ho-Yen’s children’s books use sci-fi or fantasy twists in real-world settings to explore the challenges faced by children and young people today. 

In her adult debut she turns her focus to parenthood, exploring a dystopian future in which women have to undergo invasive fertility treatment and aggressive state monitoring of their parenting. "Following the story of one woman’s fight to keep her daughter safe, Ho-Yen fuses together speculative SF with thriller elements in a compulsive and page-turning read," said Titan. 
 
The book, tentatively entitled Dark Lullaby, was acquired by editor at large Cath Trechman from Clare Wallace of the Darley Anderson Literary Agency in a World English Language and audio deal, and is slated to publish February 2021.
 
Trechman said: “I am so happy that Polly is joining the Titan list with her stunning adult debut. With overtones of The Handmaid's Tale, Polly's tale of a near future where parenting comes at a terrible cost is harrowing, insightful and incredibly compelling.”

Ho-Yen added: “I couldn't be more thrilled to be working with Cath Trechman and the Titan team. From our first conversation, I knew that we had found the right home for Dark Lullaby – a book which has been growing alongside me for some years now. I’m excited beyond measure that my first adult novel will be joining their growing speculative fiction list, of which I am such a fan.”