Magpie pre-empts three YA fantasy titles by Kelk in six-figure deal

Magpie Books has pre-empted three YA fantasy titles by Lindsey Kelk in a six-figure deal. 

Natasha Bardon, publishing director, acquired world English rights from Rowan Lawton at The Soho Agency. The first book in The Bell Family Witches series will be published in spring 2024. Kelk will be using a pseudonym. 

The synopsis says: “Following the untimely deaths of her parents, Emily is sent to live with her grandmother in Savannah, but there’s more to contend with than the southern heat: she finds out that she is a witch, the latest in an ancient line of Bell family witches with powers that skip every other generation. Emily has to learn fast if she’s going to survive what’s coming, because it turns out witches aren’t the only thing that’s real, and one mistake in this world of magic may cost her life.” 

Kelk said: “I am beyond thrilled for the Savannah Red universe to find a home at Magpie. This story has been with me for more than a decade, just waiting for the right moment to come to life, and working with Natasha and her passionate, talented team has been a dream of mine since we first met. I can’t wait to see what magic we create together.” 

Bardon added: “I’m absolutely delighted to be publishing Lindsey Kelk. I’ve been a fan of her adult and children’s fiction for years and it’s thoroughly exciting to be welcoming her to the Magpie Books imprint. Lindsey’s story is full of heart, romance, witches, werewolves and magic, all set against the backdrop of the gorgeous gothic neighbourhoods of Savannah and its summer heat. This is ‘Buffy’ meets ‘True Blood’.”