Ink Road pre-empts Fenne’s ‘explosive’ début YA queer fantasy in three-book deal

Black & White Publishing has pre-empted Overemotional and two more books by début author David Fenne to their YA imprint Ink Road.

Campbell Brown, managing director, acquired world rights from Lina Langlee at The North Literary Agency. Overemotional will be published in July 2023.

Its synopsis reads: “Kissing another boy for the first time is nerve-racking, especially when you cause their head to explode. Steven Percival is a closeted sixth-form student terrified of his emotions. Whenever he feels something, he manifests the opposite – an ability he calls his ‘Emomancy’.

“To avoid hurting anyone else, Steven runs away from school to hide in the miserable town of Grunsby-on-Sea. But all that changes when his friends turn up on his doorstep, determined to bring him home. Not to mention the secretive agency that seems to be following him wherever he goes.”

The publisher describes Overemotional as an “addictive, page-turning novel brimming with lovable characters, touching on themes of love, acceptance and belonging, where the everyday ordinary turns into a magical new reality”. It said the book is “perfect” for fans of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper (Hodder Children’s) and Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On (Macmillan) “with an extra dash of adventure and humour”.

Fenne is an author, actor and improviser based in south-east London. He came to London in 2012 for drama school, studying American Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College. He trained abroad for half a year at Syracuse University in New York. He is also an improv comedian, running a long-form improv theatre company, Pinch Punch.

Brown said: “Overemotional was a story we knew was unique from the very first page. David has such an authentic voice, and we are thrilled to be the team that gets to share his début with the world. Bringing both humour and heart to this charming fantasy, David is going to be a fantastic addition to the YA genre.”   

Fenne commented: “We all want to pursue happiness, but what if that happiness is dangerous to others? Being terrified of your emotions is such a relatable concept to many closeted young people, so I wanted to explore a more fantastical version of that. Putting humour and an authentic queer voice into the YA fantasy sphere is something I’m passionate about, and I can’t wait for readers to get to know Steven.

“I’m over the moon to be working with the team at Black & White to bring Overemotional and its sequels to bookshelves. I have to thank my peerless agent, Lina, who’s been a passionate believer in this book from the start.”