Hot Key lands Sheibani's coming-of-age verse novel

Hot Key Books, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has signed a deal for verse novel The Silver Chain by Jion Sheibani, described as “an uplifting coming-of-age verse novel about family, mental health and the healing power of music”.

Jenny Jacoby, editor, acquired English language rights for the UK and Commonwealth from Emily Talbot at United Agents. Scheduled for April 2022, written completely in verse and with illustrations by Sheibani, The Silver Chain follows the struggles of teenager Azade. Whilst dealing with all the usual trials of being 16, she is forced to juggle her violin scholarship and the realities of her mum's mental health spiralling out of control. 

Sheibani said: “The Silver Chain is a work of fiction but, like most stories, it is drawn from personal experience. I wanted to write a book that celebrates the way we survive painful situations. In this case, it is music, but really it can be anything we are passionate about. Our mental health resources are infinite and that never ceases to amaze me.”  

Jacoby added: “The beauty of a verse novel like this is the many layers of a journey it can take you on, in so few words. From the first page I was hooked, immersed in Azadeh’s world, rooting for her as if she was a close friend. Jion handles big topics – and the universal – in an incredibly refreshing and precise way, and I’m delighted Jion is bringing her warm, inclusive voice to YA readers.”  

Sheibani is half-English, half-Iranian and grew up in Brighton. She now lives in Paris with her family. A self-taught illustrator, she studied English literature at Oxford University.