S&S Children's signs two middle-grade titles with 'ghostly twist' from Butler and Powell

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has signed two middle-grade titles with a "ghostly twist" by author Steven Butler and illustrator Claire Powell.  

World rights were bought for the text from Stephanie Thwaites at Curtis Brown, and world rights for the illustrations from Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson Illustration Agency. Amina Youssef, senior commissioning editor, and Lowri Ribbons, senior editor, will co-edit. The first book, Spooked: The Theatre Ghosts, is out on 1st September with the second following in 2023.

The synopsis says: “Welcome to Cod’s Bottom – the sleepy seaside town with a secret! There’s nothing out of the ordinary about ten-year-old Ella Griffin. Nothing at all... Until she’s forced to move to the seaside town of Cod’s Bottom and everything changes. In search of adventure, Ella stumbles into an old abandoned theatre, but all is not as it seems. Because the theatre isn’t empty – it’s haunted by weird and wonderful ghosts, and they need her help to save them!” 

Ribbons said: “Steven is a much-loved author for Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, and we’re thrilled to be publishing his hilarious new middle-grade series. Spooked is packed full of humour and mischief, with delightful illustrations from the talented Claire Powell. I couldn’t be happier for Simon and Schuster to be the home of Ella Griffin, Cod’s Bottom and the glorious cast of wonderful ghosts, and I can’t wait for readers to meet them, too.” 

Butler added: "I’m so excited to share Spooked with my readers. It’s been a long time coming. I penned the first chapter of the book over 10 years ago, but it was shelved after other projects rumbled in to occupy my attention, so I’m thrilled to have finally had the chance to breathe life into the gaggle of ghosts who live in the Cod’s Bottom Hippodrome. 

“It has been a real pleasure to work on this series with Simon and Schuster and I can’t wait to dive back into Ella Griffin’s world for the second instalment. Watch this space.”