Stripes signs two more by Tracy Darnton

Stripes has acquired two YA novels by Tracy Darnton, the author of The Truth About Lies.

Stripes discovered Darnton when she won its UKYA Short Story competition in 2016 with ‘The Letter’, later published in the anthology I’ll Be Home for Christmas. The story introduced the character of Amber, who will feature in the first of the books acquired as part of the new deal, which is about a girl who is on the run from her father.

Commissioning editor Ruth Bennett acquired world rights to two books from Jo Williamson at Antony Harwood. Titles and publishing dates are yet to be announced.

Bennett said: “We are delighted to be working with Tracy Darnton on the next step in her career as a UKYA novelist. Tracy has a knack for combining authentic teen voices with thrilling plots that keep you hooked until the very end. Her stories stay with you and prompt you to think about big topics like identity, trust and forgiveness with the very lightest of touches.”

Darnton’s debut YA novel, The Truth About Lies, was published by Stripes last year and is shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019.