Farshore signs new book from Great Realisation author Roberts

Farshore has signed a new picture book by Tomos Roberts, author of The Great Realisation (Farshore), a poem written in the form of a bedtime story in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic that was viewed by 60 million people online.

Publishing director Melissa Fairley signed the deal for world all language rights for the companion book The World Awaits with Creative Artists Agency from Cait Hoyt at CAA.

The World Awaits will be published on 24th June to coincide with the projected end of coronavirus restrictions in the UK, and will be illustrated by Japanese artist Nomoco. The book is described as "a timely call to action for children and adults alike to seize the day and meet life’s challenges head on. It is a joyful reminder of the potential that every individual has to make a positive contribution to the world, and a celebration of our resilience during tough times."

Roberts, also known as Tomfoolery, will be hosting a Covid-safe live event on launch at a secret venue, which will feature more of his poetry. He said: "I’m so thrilled to be working with the amazing team at Farshore yet again to publish my second book. This book was written as a reminder to myself, and anyone else who needs one, that our contribution to the world matters. The World Awaits is a celebration of the good, however small, that can be found in the places where only you would have thought to look."

Emily Lamm, senior commissioning editor at Farshore, added: "Tomos has a remarkable talent for capturing big ideas and distilling them in a way that is simple and magical. His first book captured the hopes and fears of a global population in lockdown. His second book offers a message that is equally timely and powerful: all our actions matter."