Hachette signs deal with children's presenters Franks and Thorne

Hachette Children's Group has signed a two-book middle-grade series from children's presenters Luke Franks and Sean Thorne who are both debut authors. 

Tig Wallace, senior commissioning editor, acquired world rights, including TV, film and merchandising, direct from the authors. The first book, Jamie McFlair Vs The Boyband Generator, will publish on the Hodder Children’s Books imprint on 4th March 2021.

Aimed at readers aged eight plus, Jamie McFlair Vs The Boyband Generator follows four best friends and one secret. Eleven-year-old Jamie sets out to take down her evil uncle, the famous music boss Barry Bigtime. Barry’s success is dependent on a secret boyband generator – but when it goes monstrously wrong, it’s up to Jamie to stop the machine’s latest creation before it's too late.

Wallace commented: "I loved this series from the moment it was pitched to me as Kid Normal meets 'The X Factor'. This is a riotous middle-grade debut full of spark, imagination and larger-than-life characters. Luke and Sean’s passion for this story is infectious and I couldn’t be happier to bring them to Hachette Children’s Group."

Franks and Thorne said: "We are ridiculously excited to be working with Tig and the whole team at Hachette Children’s Group. From day one, we felt like they understood our brains and the off-the-wall world we’ve created for Jamie and her friends (which includes a 6-foot tall rodent in shades called Slottapus). It’s been a privilege to be welcomed into the world of children’s books and we can’t wait for readers to join in on the fun. Let the nonsense begin!" 

Franks is a presenter on CITV's "Scrambled" and Thorne is a presenter on Fun Kids Radio.