‘Unforgettable’ thrillers by Oyemakinde go to MCB at auction

Macmillan Children’s Books (MCB) has announced two “major” acquisitions from UK debut author Tomi Oyemakinde, who is described as an “exciting and inimitable voice” in the YA space.

The author’s first book, titled The Changing Man, will publish in September 2023 in both the UK and US, with the second book following in 2024.

MCB UK and US jointly acquired world English-language rights for both books. Samantha Smith, publisher of fiction, non-fiction and picture books at MCB, bought UK and Commonwealth rights in the two-book deal at auction from Claire Wilson at Rogers, Coleridge and White. Emma Jones, editorial director at MCB, will edit the book in the UK. North American rights were simultaneously sold at auction by Pete Knapp at Park & Fine to Foyinsi Adegbonmire, associate editor at Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan US).

The synopsis for Oyemakinde’s first title reads: “The Changing Man follows 17-year-old Ife as she joins Nithercott School where she immediately knows that she doesn’t quite fit in. But when she strikes up an unlikely alliance with troublemaker Ben, both outcasts realise that they have something in common – they both have a reason to get out of Nithercott. Ben’s brother is currently missing and no one seems to be trying to find him.

“For Ife, it’s just another strange element of this school. But as more and more people start going missing, including one of Ife’s only friends, she starts to feel haunted. Who is the figure she’s started seeing in the shadowy halls, who looks mysteriously like herself? And is there any truth to the strange urban legend that travels the school like mist... the legend of the Changing Man?”

Oyemakinde said: “I can’t wait to share The Changing Man with readers. I packed this story with everything I enjoy – strangeness, mystery, and heart. It is also an invitation into how I see the world. I am deeply grateful to Emma, Foyinsi and Macmillan Children’s Books for their support and belief in this project from the very start. See you in autumn!”

Smith said: “Tomi Oyemakinde is a stunning new voice and we could not be more excited to welcome him to Macmillan Children’s Books. On our YA list we publish ground-breaking authors, and Tomi will be in great company amongst our already well-established and trailblazing list for older readers. The Changing Man is an unforgettable debut: at once an edge-of-your seat thriller and a thought-provoking statement about race, class and who gets to decide who matters in our society.”

The Changing Man will be a lead YA title for MCB’s communications team this autumn and will be supported by PR coverage, key media and national advertising.