Nosy Crow gives wings to Lucy Beck's debut

Nosy Crow has acquired Fledgling, a middle-grade debut by Lucy Beck, a graduate of the Bath Spa MA in Writing for Young People. 

Kirsty Stansfield, head of fiction, bought world rights from Joanna Moult at the Skylark Literary Agency.

Fledgling begins when a strange creature is blown into Cassie Engel's bedroom during a thunderstorm, triggering a series of terrifying events. Cassie is forced to unearth the secrets of her family's past as dark forces gather around them. 

Stansfield described the novel as "such a fresh and original piece of writing", saying: "Full of brilliant characters and sinister charm, I know it, and Lucy, will take off in a big way!"

Beck commented: "I am thrilled that Nosy Crow will be the publisher to lead Fledgling from the safety of its nest into the big wide world. I’ve always loved Nosy Crow books, not just because they are beautiful things, but because they contain wonderful stories of hope for a better and kinder world to grow up in. I know, like Fledgling, I am in safe hands with such a dynamic, forward-looking publisher, and I am delighted that they have put their faith in me and my book at this challenging time."