Knights Of snaps up McNicoll's middle-grade duology

Independent and inclusive children's publisher Knights Of has acquired Elle McNicoll's "beautifully written" fantasy duology, solidifying its relationship with the award-winning author. 

Last year, Knights Of published McNicoll's debut novel A Kind of Spark, which won the Waterstones' Children's Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award. The publisher also signed her second middle-grade title, Show Us Who You Are, which published in March. 

A Kind of Spark will be brought to UK screens in a live action series, following a partnership with BBC Children's and 9 Story Media.

The first book in the duo, Like a Charm is a "beautifully written, compelling magical fantasy" story set in Edinburgh, featuring a neurodivergent heroine. "When Ramya moves back to Edinburgh, she isn’t looking for an adventure; she just wants to get through school," the synopsis reads. 

"But she’s soon pulled into her family’s magical secrets, and has her eyes opened to an underground world of unseen mystical creatures. Armed with her late grandfather's notebooks, she sets out to discover more and comes up against the mysterious and deadly sirens."

It will be published on 3rd February 2022 as a £6.99 paperback original. World rights were acquired by editorial director Eishar Brar from Lauren Gardner at Bell Lomax Moreton Agency.

The book will be backed by a creative and ambitious publicity and marketing campaign to include a UK tour, unique display merchandise for bookshops, collaborations with brands and influencer marketing.

Brar said of the book: "From the very first draft, I was absolutely floored by the world Elle has created in Like a Charm; an Edinburgh of hidden magic and lost witches. We are so delighted to be publishing her first duology; I know new and old fans alike will see so much of themselves in Ramya and it’s an added joy that readers can stay with her for more than one book."

McNicoll added: "This book is a love letter to readers of A Kind of Spark who wanted to see neurodivergent girls with real magical powers. I loved magical books as a child, and still do now, so to have a neurodivergent heroine in a fantastical world, it meant a lot to me to write. I'm thrilled readers are going to meet Ramya."