New Julie Mayhew novel to Hot Key

Bonnier Zaffre imprint Hot Key Books has bought a new YA novel by Julie Mayhew, based on the author’s BBC Radio 4 play "The Electrical Venus".

The novel, also called The Electrical Venus, is about Mim, the daughter of a highborn lady and a West African slave who was sold to a travelling fair as a baby. Her one true friend is a one-armed boxing boy called Alex. As an adolescent, she meets the charismatic Sebastian Fox who gives Mim the stage persona of ‘The Electrical Venus’.  

Hot Key acquired world rights from Louise Lamont at LBA and will publish in late 2017.

Mayhew, whose previous novels for Hot Key include The Big Lie, said: "Mim and Alex from The Electrical Venus are such engaging, complex characters - I'm thrilled that I get to spend more time with them. Their story of growing up in a travelling fair, separate from the rest of society, has much to tell us about how we value difference now. Hot Key's bravery and willingness to challenge young readers make them the perfect home for this."