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Scholastic has pre-empted Let’s Split Up, a YA horror-thriller from BookTok creator and Waterstones bookseller Bill Wood.
Editorial director Polly Lyall Grant acquired world rights, including film, television and merchandising, after an exclusive submission directly from the author. The novel will be published in October 2024.
Let’s Split Up is billed as a "nail-biting" and "perfectly formed" story that follows a group of teenagers who investigate the brutal murder of couple Brad and Shelley. The synopsis continues: "Set in a small town where rumour spreads as fast as the fire on the day of the killings, the theory is the old ghoul who haunts the house after his own murder hundreds of years ago has finally taken revenge. As Cam, Jonesy, Amber and new-girl Buffy investigate, the rumour feels closer to the truth than they dared think possible, and as they enter the mansion themselves, the idea of splitting up to find evidence will prove to be either the best or worst decision of all."
Wood said: “I am thrilled that Let’s Split Up has found its home with the exceptional team at Scholastic. The sheer excitement for my ‘what if Scooby was horror?’ novel has been undeniable, and I’m so excited to be joining such an incredible roster of authors."
Grant added: “When the team spotted Bill talking about his YA ‘Scooby Doo’ meets ‘Pretty Little Liars’ chiller-thriller on TikTok, I knew I had to read it immediately. It is so much fun! In true Scooby Doo-style we see a group of well-meaning friends try to crack the murder case that has the residents of one small town reeling."