Piccadilly Press 'gets spirited away' with a graphic novel duology from author-illustrator Mai K Nguyen

Piccadilly Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has snapped up Anzu and the Realm of Darkness and its sequel Anzu and the Dream Eater — a fantasy graphic novel duology by Japanese-Vietnamese American author-illustrator Mai K Nguyen which explores spirits and Japanese folklore.

Jenny Jacoby, editor at Piccadilly Press, acquired UK and Commonwealth English language rights, excluding Canada, to the two books from Rachel Clements at Abner Stein, on behalf of Taryn Fagerness Agency for Britt Siess Creative Management. Anzu and the Realm of Darkness will be published in paperback on 21st November 2024, followed by Anzu and the Dream Eater in 2025.

"Inspired by Mai’s own mix of heritage and traditions, Anzu and the Realm of Darkness follows Anzu, who is struggling with the recent death of her grandmother, Obaachan, and her family’s move to a new town," the synopsis says. "Taking a break from the Obon celebrations, a time for families to remember and honour their ancestors, Anzu slips and finds herself in the Shinto underworld, a place she heard about in Obaachan’s stories. Anzu must find her way home and save herself and other lost children before it’s too late — but to do so she must first confront her Japanese heritage, learn to be brave and accept herself for who she is."