Macmillan Children's pre-empts Norse Gods adventure series

Macmillan's Children's Books has pre-empted a middle-grade trilogy by debut author Cat Weldon, set in the world of the Norse gods. 

Lucy Pearse, senior commissioning editor, acquired world rights in all three books from Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary. The first book in the trilogy, How To Be a Hero: Tales from a Terrible Viking, will publish in January 2021. The second book, The Land of Lost Things, will follow in August 2021. A publication date for the third book is still to be confirmed. 

The adventure series will sit on Macmillan Children’s Books Fiction, Non-Fiction and Picture Books list and will be supported by a "major marketing and publicity campaign" across consumer and trade channels.

How To Be a Hero: Tales from a Terrible Viking follows Whetstone, a hapless Viking thief desperate for glory, and Lotta, a trainee Valkyrie on a mission to prove herself. The book is illustrated throughout. 

Weldon commented: "The world of Norse mythology is both rich — and incomplete. Whetstone and Lotta's adventures take place in the gaps between existing stories and characters. I am delighted to be working with Macmillan in sharing Whetstone and Lotta's journey with a wider audience, and hope their reluctant friendship brings as much fun to my readers as I had in writing it."

Pearse added: "How To Be a Hero is an uproarious quest adventure full of rule-breaking gods, deadly dragons and a very unlikely friendship. Norse mythology is such a popular topic and Cat’s pacey and joyful writing is the best way to immerse yourself in it. We’re thrilled to welcome her to MCB."