Usborne buys Waterstones bookseller debut

Usborne has acquired the world rights, excluding the US and Canada, to Ticks and Stripes by Waterstones bookseller Mitch Johnson.
 
Fiction editorial director Rebecca Hill struck the deal for the book, which is about a 12-year-old who works in a sweatshop and a superstar footballer, in a pre-empt from Felicity Trew at the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency.

Rebecca Hill said the books is “original, thought-provoking and important". She added: "I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Mitch to the Usborne list, and can’t wait to share this story with everyone.”

After graduating from the University of East Anglia with an award winning first class degree in English Literature with Creative Writing, Mitch completed Ticks and Stripes, his debut novel for middle grade readers.

Mitch currently works as a bookseller in Waterstones Norwich.

The title Ticks and Stripes is to be confirmed, the publisher added.