Piccadilly Press commissions Dylan’s 'hair-raising' middle-grade horror series

Piccadilly Press has signed Shiver Point by Gabriel Dylan, a “hair-raising” new horror series for middle-grade readers.

Editor Ella Whiddett commissioned Dylan to write four books in the series, obtaining world rights in all languages and film, TV and dramatisation rights from Polly Nolan at PaperCuts Literary Agency & Consultancy.

The first book, Shiver Point: It Came from the Woods, will introduce readers to the small town of Shiver Point, where nothing interesting ever happens until one night when Alex spots what looks like a meteorite plummeting into Howlmoor forest.

Alex goes to investigate but little does he know that four other kids have also spotted the strange streak in the sky: troublemaker Oli, studious Sophia, curious Mo and budding engineer Riley. What they discover is far beyond their wildest dreams. 

Each book will follow the group of friends as they solve a new spooky mystery in town. Shiver Point: It Came from the Woods will be published in paperback, audio and e-book in September 2023. Books two and three will follow in 2024 and book four in 2025.

Dylan, author of YA horror novel Whiteout (Stripes Publishing), said: “It’s been fantastic to work with Ella and the team at Piccadilly to write something full of scares, laughs, and creepy creatures—all the things I love myself.” This will be his first middle-grade series.

Whiddett said: “We are so excited to be welcoming readers to Shiver Point, where gore and ghouls are perfectly combined with humour and hijinks. At its heart, this is a series about friendship, teamwork and overcoming your fears (with a few bloodthirsty aliens and sinister scarecrows thrown in for good measure) and Gabriel completely immerses the reader in the world of this not-so-boring town.”