Bishop's On Silver Tides scooped by Andersen Press in three-way auction

Andersen Press has acquired On Silver Tides, the first teen novel by author, actor and comedian Sylvia Bishop. 

World rights including audio for were secured in a three-way auction by Charlie Sheppard, publishing director and Chloe Sackur, commissioning editor for fiction, as part of a two-book deal, with the second book set in the same world, to follow in spring 2025. Rights were bought from Bryony Woods at Diamond Kahn & Woods Literary Agency. The title will be released in paperback in February 2024. 

The synopsis reads: “Set in a secret community of people who can breathe under water, the silvermen, On Silver Tides is a thrilling fantasy adventure with an urgent environmental message.

"Kelda has always protected her little sister Isla from danger on the rivers, and from the suspicions of their community. For Isla cannot breathe under water – and so her very existence is forbidden by the silvermen’s Lore.

“Now the rivers of England are growing sick: monstrous creatures are awakening and a fierce torrent of blame falls on Kelda’s family. When betrayal comes, the sisters escape on a desperate journey upstream. Joining forces with a mysterious boy, Kelda discovers the darkest depths of her kind’s secret history. But to save both her sister and the very life of Britain’s waterways, Kelda will have to make a sacrifice – one that will change her life forever.”

Bishop says of the book: “I’m thrilled that On Silver Tides has found a home with Andersen, which has such an exciting vision for the book, and share my love of folklore and fantasy. Kelda’s story has been close to my heart for a long time, and I can’t wait to share it. Exploring the world further for a second title is a joy. It’s exactly the world I would have wanted to read as a teen; I still can’t quite believe I get the chance to write it.”

Sheppard and Sackur at Andersen Press said: “When we first read On Silver Tides, we were blown away by Sylvia’s gorgeous writing and truly unique storytelling. This book will enchant readers with its sweeping adventure, romance and intricate worldbuilding – we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Sylvia to the Andersen list.”

Sylvia’s previous young fiction titles include Erica’s Elephant, which was Children’s Book of the Week in the Sunday Times and The Secret of the Night Train, which won the Warwickshire Junior Book Award and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal.

Andersen Press will be selling rights to On Silver Tides, and a host of other new fiction titles, at the Bologna Book Fair.