S&S snaps up two Danny Wallace books

Simon & Schuster is to publish two standalone children's books by author, comedian and Radio X DJ Danny Wallace.

Jane Griffiths, editorial director, bought world rights in a two-book deal with Robert Kirby at United Agents. The first novel, The Day the Screens Went Blank, is scheduled for publication in March 2021, and will see Wallace paired with illustrator Gemma Correll. The illustration rights were acquired from Anna Goodson at the Anna Goodson Illustration Agency.

Rachel Denwood, S&S managing director, said: "We are so excited to relaunch Danny Wallace with a whole lot of noise and a mission to make him a huge bestseller in the children’s fiction market. Danny is an utterly brilliant storyteller who knows exactly what makes children tick. These new books will capture compelling “What if…?” questions and weave them into hilarious, heartfilled adventures—starting with The Day the Screens Went Blank, a story of a family reconnecting when forced into a small space together, without the usual distractions. It all feels incredibly close to home right now."

The second novel is as yet unnamed and the publication date is still to be confirmed.

Wallace has sold 909,986 books for £6.07m, with his bestseller Yes Man (Ebury Press) at 154,652 copies sold in paperback, through Nielsen BookScan UK TCM.

He said: "I had more fun writing The Day the Screens Went Blank than should have been allowed. And what started off as a comedy horror for kids about a world without screens turned instead into a road trip celebrating the important stuff. I’m so pleased to be teaming up again with the S&S Kids family, and the next book is already underway."