Puffin signs Wood's 'ground-breaking' LGBTQ+ tales for Classics list in two-book deal

Puffin has swooped for Tales From Beyond the Rainbow: Ten LGBTQ+ Fairy Tales Proudly Reclaimed and The Dog and the Sailor, two "ground-breaking" books from Pete Jordi Wood. 

Senior commissioning editor Emma Jones, who has since moved to Macmillan Children’s Books, and publisher Joe Marriott acquired world rights in all languages from Claire Wilson at RCW. Film rights have already been optioned by film producer Freddy Wexler and author Dr Eric Cervini. Tales From Beyond the Rainbow will be published as an illustrated hardback on the Puffin Classics list in June 2023, with The Dog and the Sailor following in 2024.

Puffin Classics editorial director Kelly Hurst said: “Puffin Classics is home to some of the best-known stories for young people, stories that have been important to readers in their own time – but it is also an evolving project that aims to reflect readers and society. I am delighted to add to our list this important collection of stories that have been loved and lost and share them with a new generation of classics readers."

Describing himself as a "fairy-tale detective", Wood has dedicated himself to re-discovering queer stories which "have always existed but [have] been pushed to the fringes and forgotten". In Tales From Beyond the Rainbow, Wood brings together his work in an anthology that champions LGBTQ+ stories and protagonists from across the world. Each story will include a full-page illustration by an artist who shares a heritage with the culture from which the story originates. Currently, Anshika Khullar, Mario Hounkanrin, Nontira Kigle, Sasha Staicu, Sophia Watts and Xin Tang are confirmed contributors. 

Publishing as a picture book, The Dog and the Sailor is one of the "lesser-known" tales from the anthology. Fully illustrated and re-imagined for younger readers, the "forgotten" story features a male protagonist who meets a handsome prince. 

Wood has worked with fiction publisher Ben Horslen and numerous authenticity readers to ensure the identities and cultures shown in the anthology and picture book are represented accurately and with respect, Puffin said. 

“We are thrilled to be publishing Tales From Beyond the Rainbow on our Puffin Classics list, showcasing perspectives that have historically been hidden or ignored," said Marriot. "By highlighting these tales, Pete proves that LGBTQ+ stories have always existed and always will. And we are so excited to develop The Dog and the Sailor for a picture book audience so that even the youngest readers will be able to see queer heroes at the heart of an epic adventure."

Wood commented: "With Tales From Beyond the Rainbow I wanted to work against the idea that queer folk tales are something new. I’ve enjoyed many brilliant, modernised fairy tales over the past few years, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that within our rich and expansive literary history there must be stories which amplified the LGBTQ+ experience specifically. I made it my mission to unearth these hidden treasures and bring them back into the light, for new generations to enjoy. I can’t wait to share these tales with readers, and I’m so thrilled to be working with the exceptional Freddy Wexler to bring these books to the screen.”