Farshore snaps up 'anarchic' debut young fiction series

Farshore has acquired a “hilarious” young fiction adventure series by debut author Nicky Smith-Dale, with illustrations by Sarah Horne. Lucy Courtenay, commissioning editor, signed a three-book deal for world all-language rights with Kate Shaw at The Shaw Agency. Senior designer Ryan Hammond did the deal for Horne with Jodie Hodges at United Agents.

Aimed at seven to 10-year-olds, Betty Steady and the Toad Witch is pitched as being “packed with jokes, catchphrases and mayhem” as well as lessons in magic, friendship, trust and battles.

Winchester-based primary school teacher Smith-Dale said: “I’m so grateful to the amazing team at Farshore for appreciating the world of Betty Steady. As a teacher I’ve found that humorous books can engage even the most reluctant reader, partly because they are such a pleasure to read aloud... so I decided to put my own silly sense of humour to good use. I can’t wait for everyone to chuckle along with Betty and all her chums in Wobbly Rock.”

Courtenay described the new author as "a unique talent with a delightfully anarchic sense of humour and an impeccable eye for what seven-to 10-year-olds (and their parents) find hilarious”. She added: “We can’t wait to launch Nicky as a bestselling author in this young fiction space, and for everyone to lick the toenails of adventure with Betty in 2024.”

Betty Steady and the Toad Witch will publish in paperback on 6th June 2024, with books two and three to follow in 2025.