The Emma Press swoops for Pollard's first children's book

The Emma Press has swooped for The Untameables, a "radical" re-working of Arthurian myth from Clare Pollard.

James Trevelyan, director (maternity cover), acquired worldwide English rights, including physical, digital and audio, directly from the author. The book will be published on 24th April 2024.

The Untameables is aimed at readers aged eight to 10 years old and is Pollard’s first book for children. It draws on British folklore while "questioning the colonialist and brutal roots of the Arthurian legends". The synopsis reads: "Under the bloody rule of King Arthur, the inhabitants of Camelot are getting sick. Really sick. While the cruel Knights of the Round Table are waging wars and poisoning the magical earth, two children embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail and save the city and its people."

"Shy, gentle Roan, a young dog keeper who works for the Knights, is desperate to find a cure for his mum. He befriends Elva, a generous and outspoken kitchenhand who has her own reasons for seeking the illusive Grail. Together, can they beat the Knights to find it? And will drinking from it save Roan’s mum?"

Trevelyan commented: "The Untameables is a gripping adventure through British myth & legend looked at through the fresh perspective of two compelling and relatable child characters. We are incredibly excited for younger readers to get the chance to enjoy Clare’s writing and join Roan and Elva on their quest in April 2024." 

Pollard added: "Writing The Untameables was the most fun I’ve ever had with a laptop. I’ve always loved Arthurian myth – from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight to the legend of Holy Grail; Morgan le Fay to Questing Beasts – and wanted to subvert and reclaim these tales for contemporary children (including my own), starting from the premise that maybe the knights of the round table were the bad guys."