Hot Key buys illustrated history of feminism

Hot Key Books, part of Bonnier Zaffre, has acquired a graphic novel about 150 years of feminism.

Written by Marta Breen and illustrated by Jenny Jordahl, Women in Battle spans the entire movement, from suffragettes to female world leaders, abortion and contraception, gay marriage and #MeToo.

Felicity Johnston, commissioning editor at Bonnier Zaffre, acquired the UK and commonwealth rights Anette Garpestad at Cappelen Damm Agency in Norway and will publish in October.

Johnston said: “What we love best about this book is how international it is – it originated in Norway and is filled with stories of heroic women from all over the world, including Iran, Pakistan, New Zealand, France and the US. It’s being published in at least sixteen territories over the next twelve months and we are delighted to be bringing it to the UK.”

In related news, Big Picture Press, an imprint of Templar Publishing, which is also part of Bonnier, is partnering with the Science Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The imprint will work with the Science Museum to publish Planetarium, written by UCL Professor of Astrophysics Raman Prinja and illustrated by Chris Wormell, and with the Royal Botanic Gardens on Fungarium, by Kate Scott.

Planetarium is set to publish in September 2018 followed by Fungarium in August 2019.