Egmont scoops TV writer's knightly tale

Egmont will publish TV writer Marc Starbuck’s “side-splitting” debut children's picture book.

Sir Boris the Brave and the Tall Tale Princess will feature “vibrant" illustrations from Becka Moor.

Melissa Fairley, publishing director for picture book and gift, signed the deal for world rights with Anne Clark and Bell Lomax Moreton. It will be published on 8th March 2018 in paperback with an r.r.p of £6.99.

When Princess Tilly Tall Tales sends an urgent rescue request, the blurb reads, Sir Boris gallantly gallops to save her. However, it soon turns out their ideas of what an ‘emergency’ is are very different. The book will include a detachable sword and shield for dressing-up.

The publisher said: “A knight adventure unlike any other, this side-splitting story will appeal to anyone who loves funny characters and fairytales with a surprising twist.”

Louise Grosart, senior commissioning editor at Egmont, said: “Marc Starbuck’s 'Sir Boris' is a wonderful new character to the Egmont list and Becka Moor’s illustrations are the perfect match to Marc’s witty writing style – it’s a real treat.”

Starbuck has written for TV programmes including "Hollyoaks" and "Casualty" and hails originally from Manchester but now lives in Surrey with his wife and children.

Moor is a children’s book illustrator and storyteller living in Manchester. She studied illustration for children’s publishing at Glyndwr University and has since worked for several publishers including Simon & Schuster, Bloomsbury, Nosy Crow, Macmillan and HarperCollins.