You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Puffin picks up Eunnie's 'beautiful' graphic debut
Puffin has acquired a “moving and uplifting” debut graphic novel, If You’ll Have Me, from Washington-based author-illustrator Eunnie.
UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by Afua Antwi (pictured), editorial assistant, from Kim Ryan, senior director of subrights for Penguin Young Readers US. Billed by Penguin as “an exploration of growth, insecurities and the tenderness of new love between two young women in college”, publication is scheduled for 26th October 2023.
“With graphic novels across the age groups on the rise in the UK, and the TikTok hashtag #sapphicbooks now having over 245 million views, this is an exciting acquisition for YA graphic novel readers old and new,” Puffin said. “Eunnie has built up a loyal following over the past few years sharing her delightful illustrations with over 100,000 followers across her social media platforms." Eunnie is a Korean-American illustrator based in Washington, known as @eunnieboo on social media.
If You’ll Have Me follows introverted, Momo who unexpectedly runs into the lone wolf on campus, PG, marking the beginning of an awkward yet endearing courtship. But their new romance is put to the test by their contrasting personalities, Momo’s overprotective friend, and PG’s past coming back to haunt her.
Antwi said: “I’m incredibly excited to have the opportunity to publish this beautiful graphic novel. If You’ll Have Me is the exact thing we’ve been waiting for here at Puffin, a romance full of heart and guaranteed to put a smile on your face. I was completely swept away from the first page, and getting to see the romance develop was an absolute joy. Eunnie’s art is so gorgeous, I simply couldn’t stop reading. I can’t wait for everyone to get to read Momo and PG’s story.”
Eunnie added: “Bringing Momo and PG’s romance to life has been an absolute dream come true. This book is my love letter to women and sapphics, and I hope it can be a source of joy and comfort during these tumultuous times. I hope it reaches someone who needs it.”
