S&S soars with three more from Skandar author

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has bought three more books from A F Steadman, bringing the Skandar series to five books, with a further in-world novel also included in the seven-figure deal.

Ali Dougal, publishing director, acquired world rights, all languages, from Sam Copeland at Rogers, Coleridge & White, and will publish alongside Kendra Levin, editorial director, and Deeba Zargarpur, senior editor.

On publication, Skandar and the Unicorn Thief went straight into the Children’s Overall Top 10 at number two and remained in the Children’s Fiction Top 10 for four weeks. The book has been shortlisted for the Waterstones Book of the Year and was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Awards. Sony Pictures is currently developing the film, with Steadman as executive producer.

The book has become a global phenomenon, with a record-breaking 46 language deals done by the S&S team, with more on the horizon. In the US, the book was a New York Times bestseller for over 20 weeks and was shortlisted for the Barnes & Noble Book of the Year. In Australia, the book was shortlisted for Dymocks Young Reader Book of the Year and won Le Grand Prix Des Lecteurs du Journal de Mickey in France. In the UK, it has sold 37,520 in hardback since April, for £373,478, according to Nielsen. 

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief will publish in paperback on 2nd February 2023, and the highly anticipated second book in the series, Skandar and the Phantom Rider, launches in hardback on 27th April 2023, with an audio version read by actor David Dawson.

Steadman will embark on a six-week tour of the UK, US and Australia to promote the books. 

Rachel Denwood, managing director of S&S Children’s, said: "Congratulations Annabel! The successful global launch of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief has changed the game in the middle-grade market and everyone at Simon & Schuster is immensely proud of this achievement. But we’re only just getting started! We’re delighted to commit to our author’s full vision and I have no doubt that her scintillating adventures will be thrilling a growing global readership for many years to come. This new deal is another huge moment for Simon & Schuster Children’s Books."

Ali Dougal, publishing director, added: "We are immensely proud of Skandar’s soaring success, and excited to be working with our 45 international partners to bring these ferocious unicorns to children the world over. A F Steadman has created something truly spectacular in Skandar – and to have more books to work on with her is a privilege and a huge thrill."

Steadman added: "Working with S&S has been such a dream come true that most days I honestly can’t believe my luck. Continuing the Skandar series with a team that is enormously passionate, fiercely ambitious and downright lovely is such an honour. I know they will ensure that these books are the best – and most beautiful – they can be, and I can’t wait for readers to join Skandar as he continues his adventures among the warrior unicorns."