Rock the Boat snaps up 'mindblowing' YA thriller in two-book deal with Josh Silver

Rock the Boat has snapped up Traumaland, the latest novel from 2024 YA Book Prize shortlistee Josh Silver. 

Senior commissioning editor Katie Jennings acquired UK and Commonwealth rights and audio, excluding Canada, in a two-book deal from Becky Bagnell at Lindsay Literary Agency. Silver is now represented by Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson. 

Traumaland will be published as a superlead title on 8th May 2025 and be supported with a publicity campaign helmed by freelancer Liz Scott. 

The novel explores the darker side of virtual reality, following 17-year-old Eli who has been in a near-fatal car crash. Emotionally numb following the accident, Eli winds up in an underground club called Traumaland where people "seek a new thrill by entering virtual reality simulations of nightmarish scenarios through the points of view of various characters". The synopsis continues: "When he enters the story of a boy called Jack, he discovers a darker truth to the club. A truth that sets Eli on a dangerous journey to find the source of his own trauma." 

Jennings said: “We’re all buzzing here at Rock the Boat to be working on a new book with Josh Silver—one of the boldest and most original YA writers out there. And what a mind-blowing book it is! Buckle up, because from the moment Eli’s darkly humorous voice gets inside your head there’s no escaping this intense rollercoaster ride.”

Silver commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with Rock the Boat again on my next two YA books. I’ve always admired their desire to publish diverse, compelling and thought-provoking stories—and I feel honoured to continue with them.”