Hachette Children’s nets two from Scottish authors as part of regional talent strategy

Hachette Children’s Group has signed two new books by Scottish authors as part of its strategy to “find and publish regional talent of the highest standard”.

World rights to One Hungry Dragon, a “laugh out loud romp” from Alastair Chisholm and illustrator Alex Willmore, were acquired by north picture book development director Emma Layfield from Caroline Montgomery at Rupert Crew on behalf of Chisholm and from Susan Penny at The Bright Agency on behalf of Willmore.

The book, which has “a counting theme and one very big burp”, will be published in hardback in March 2023 and in paperback in July 2023. 
Chisholm said: “I’ve had a blast seeing One Hungry Dragon come to life, and Alex’s brilliantly silly illustrations are an absolute joy. They make me laugh every time – I can’t wait to share them!"

Layfield has also acquired world rights to Wee Unicorn by winner of the Scottish Bookbug Picture Book Prize Meg McLaren, a “fun-filled tale of adventure, friendship... and the magic of being you” to be published in paperback in February 2023. Rights were acquired from Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary.
It is described by the publisher as “an exciting story celebrating Scottish folklore and nature which will have reach and appeal across the UK, and beyond".

McLaren, whose book The Station Mouse (Andersen Press) won the Scottish Bookbug Prize 2020, said: “I’ve had so much fun building the world for Wee Unicorn and her friends to live in, and Emma and Katie at Hachette Children’s Group have been such supportive collaborators. It’s been a joy to work with them and a real treat to use the landscape around me as the backdrop for the book.  Hopefully it will give readers a glimpse into what a magical place the Highlands are to live.”

Layfield described Chisholm and Willmore as “a dream picture book team and definitely one to watch”, adding that “we all need a little bit of joy and laughter in our lives at the moment and One Hungry Dragon delivers bucket loads of fun”.

Of the McLaren acquisition she said: “Since I started in my new role for Hachette Children’s Group based in Manchester, I’ve been looking for even more exciting picture book talent from the North and Meg perfectly fits the bill! We have wanted to work with Meg forever and are over the moon to be publishing Wee Unicorn. Wee ‘Un has stolen our hearts already and I can’t wait to see her fly out of the bookshops in Scotland and across the UK.”
Layfield and HCG said they are continuing to look for further regional and international publishing opportunities in the North West, North East, Yorkshire, Scotland and Ireland.