Egmont signs debut picture-book duo

Egmont has signed a two-book deal with debut picture book duo writer Louise Greig and illustrator Ashling Lindsay.

The Night Box is about a small boy who is custodian of the night and in set for release in June. A second book, Breath of the Clock, will follow in spring 2018.

Publishing director Melissa Fairley said: “Louise is a very special storyteller who looks at the world in a different way and shows readers the magic in everyday experiences. Her soothing, lyrical text will settle little ones at bedtime and show that the dark is something to be celebrated.”

Fairley acquired world rights directly from Greig, who is a poet based in Aberdeen and was a runner-up in the Chicken House Publishing ‘Big Idea’ competition in 2014.

The illustration rights were acquired from Arabella Stein at the Bright Group.