HarperCollins wins seven-way auction for magical series

HarperCollins Children’s Books has won a seven-way auction for a magical series about a "misfit" witch called Willow Moss.

Dominique Valente's Starfell series is aimed at readers aged nine and over. Central character Willow’s magic is for finding lost things, but no-one is impressed with her powers until Moreg Vaine, the most powerful witch in Starfell, arrives at Willow’s door with the news that last Tuesday has been lost.

In a co-publication deal, publisher Rachel Denwood and editorial director Harriet Wilson acquired world rights to four books along with Erica Sussman, editorial director of HarperCollins US. They struck the deal with Helen Boyle at Pickled Ink.

Denwood said: “We are buzzing with excitement about Dominique’s exhilaratingly brilliant Starfell. This is a hugely significant world rights acquisition for us and we put our heart and soul into securing it! We can’t wait for readers worldwide to meet unforgettable heroine Willow Moss. That Starfell is already proving such a hit with global publishers signals the dazzling future that lies ahead for this spellbinding series.”

The first book, Willow Moss and the Lost Day, will publish in the UK in hardback, e-book and audiobook in spring 2019.