S&S lands two more middle-grade books from Wallace 

Simon and Schuster Children’s Books has acquired two more middle-grade titles from award-winning writer and presenter Danny Wallace.

Publishing director Ali Dougal bought world rights in two new books from Robert Kirby at United Agents, as part of Simon & Schuster’s plans to build on the success of his previous title, The Day the Screens Went Blank illustrated by Gemma Correll, with an ongoing programme of family-centric comedy standalones from the author. The title has sold 40,000 copies and was overall top 100 Children’s Title in 2021, according to the publisher. Their next children’s book, The Luckiest Kid in the World, is published today (17th February.)

The first book in the deal, which has the working title of The Boss of Everyone, will publish in spring 2023, backed by a "major" marketing and PR campaign.

"Imagine if you got to be the boss of everyone, even your dad," reads the synopsis. "Ten-year-old Joss is a Very Good Girl. Her greatest ambition is to be Class Monitor. But she’s about to go one step further. It’s Bring Your Kid to Work week, and Joss’ dad takes her to the office of the gaming company he works for. When the boss calls a meeting and tells them he’s giving his job away to the person who can come up with the best idea for a company game-changer. Joss sticks her hand up. And the next thing she knows, Joss is the boss. Joss is thrilled. Dad is horrified: he’s going to have to be on his best behaviour all the time!"

"I’ve long been a fan of Danny’s exquisitely observed writing, which has the rare power to make kids and grown-ups snort with laughter and cry real tears," Dougal said. "It has been such a pleasure to work with him on his latest bestsellers for children and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have two more books to build on the fantastic success that we’ve seen with The Day the Screens Went Blank."

Wallace is an award-winning writer and TV and radio presenter. His Sunday Times bestselling non-fiction books with Ebury include Join Me, Awkward Situations for Men and Yes Man, which was made into the Hollywood movie starring Jim Carrey. 

As a presenter, he has presented everything from science documentaries to prime-time BBC1 Saturday night gameshows. He is the winner of several Sony Radio Academy Awards, the Arqiva for Presenter of the Year and a Bafta for voice acting in the video game "Thomas Was Alone".

"I’m so thrilled to be hatching more plans with S&S Kids’ for more big, bold and hopefully funny ideas," he said. "I love having those “What if?” moments and knowing that the team is so brilliant at unleashing them on voracious readers, and maybe readers who are yet to get into books. I’ve been gobsmacked by the enthusiasm from readers for The Day the Screens Went Blank and the next books are well on their way. Then it’s time to wander the streets and wait for the next “What if?” moment."