Firefly Press scoops third 'stunning' novel from Luke Palmer

Firefly Press has scooped Live, a "stunning" coming-of-age novel from Luke Palmer. 

Publisher Penny Thomas acquired world rights from Jane Finigan at Lutyens & Rubinstein Literary Agency for publication in June 2025.

The novel follows sixth-fomer George who "leads the school’s coolest band". When tragedy strikes, how can he, and the rest of his year group, "rediscover the bright future they’d all planned?"

Palmer’s previous novel Play, also published by Firefly Press, has been nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2025.

The author commented: "This one’s a real heart book for me and, like all things of the heart, it’s meant to be shared. It’s a book about music and the power of song, which pretty much got me through my teens. But music’s a collaborative thing, and there’s plenty of space in the book for people to bring their own sounds along, too!"

Thomas called Palmer "such a talented writer", adding: "Luke’s insight and writing about the lives of teenagers, particularly boys, is second to none, and this homage to the love of music and the teenage dream confirms him as an outstanding YA novelist."