Riddell to illustrate Haig's How to Stop Time

Canongate is to publish a new edition of Matt Haig’s How to Stop Time with illustrations from former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell.

The new edition, which will include 60 pictures, is being rush-released on 7th November.

The collaboration came about after Canongate’s editor Francis Bickmore spotted Riddell’s admiration of the title on Twitter and approached him. World rights for the deal were negotiated through Philippa Milnes-Smith of Lucas Alexander Whitley.

Riddell praised Haig’s “wonderful generosity” for allowing him to illustrate Haig’s “beautiful” text. “I’ve absolutely loved the process and can’t wait to see this new edition come out in November,” said Riddell.

Haig added that working with Riddell was fulfilling a dream of his. “It has always been an ambition of mine to work with Chris Riddell”, said Haig. “We are huge fans in our household. When I first saw his sketches in How to Stop Time on social media it was exhilarating to see my words take visual form. He’s captured the book’s essence and it was wonderful to see how he has brought each of the book’s historical periods to life.”

Bickmore said: “We’ve been thrilled by the bestselling success of How to Stop Time this year. It’s been one of the novels of the year for bookshops and readers. When we spotted Chris’s impromptu sketches on his copy of the novel online, the chance to create a collectible edition of the book for Christmas pairing Riddell and Haig seemed too good to miss. Happy ChrisRiddellMas, one and all!”