Jonathan Stroud moves to Walker in six-figure two-book deal

Walker has signed former editor Jonathan Stroud in a six-figure two-book deal. 

Executive editorial director Denise Johnstone-Burt acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne, as well as one other book, from Veronique Baxter at David Higham.

Translation rights are being handled by Allison Cole at David Higham Associates and German rights have already sold to CBJ Verlag Random House in a six figure pre-empt.

The new novel is set in a fragmented, future England, where gunfights and monsters collide, and where outlaw Scarlett McCain fights for survival. When she discovers a wrecked coach on a lonely road, with only one survivor, she agrees to escort him to safety. This is a mistake because soon enemies are on her heels.

Stroud is the author of the Bartimaeus and Lockwood & Co. series, published by PRH, and his books have sold seven million copies in 35 languages worldwide. He was also formerly an editor at Walker.

Johnstone-Burt said: “I have admired Jonathan Stroud’s writing since I started working in children’s books and am utterly thrilled to have enticed him back to Walker with this phenomenal new series. Jonathan’s uniquely beautiful writing brilliantly conjures this fragmented future world and I fell instantly in love with the charismatic Scarlett and Browne as we all did at Walker. I know his fans will do so too.”