Usborne falls under the spell of Valente's Witchspark

Usborne has fallen under the spell of Witchspark, a new magical middle grade duology with a historical tilt from Dominique Valente, the author of the Starfell series (HarperCollins Children’s Books). 

Rebecca Hill, Usborne fiction director, acquired world and audio rights in a two-book deal with Helen Boyle at Picked Ink.

Witchspark is described as "a big, bold magical middle grade adventure" about two aspiring witches, a teacher, a magical house and a dragon-butler. The first book features a disabled protagonist, who shares the author’s own disability, and will publish in October 2024 in paperback, backed by a major marketing and publicity campaign. Hill said: “Filled with spark, this wildly exciting story is packed full of things I love. The brilliance of girls, the power of friendship, a magical sentient house, the need for self-belief, walking beach huts and most importantly the dismantling of harmful stereotypes. I’ve wanted a witch book for ever, and I knew it had to be this one by Dominique.

"With an incredible commercial hook, bags of child-friendly fun and two brilliant protagonists, I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome such a huge talent to the Usborne list.”
Valente is the author of the Starfell series, with Willow Moss and The Lost Day a Waterstones Book of the Month for March 2020. She said: “Witchspark has been a witchy joy to write and I can’t wait for readers to meet the characters. There’s Eglantine who, like me, was born with a limb difference, and who (unlike me, sadly) lives in a gothic sentient home, with a wyvern for a butler! Not to mention young Princess Victoria, who was so much fun to imagine. 

"I’m excited to be working with Rebecca Hill and the fantastic Usborne team to sprinkle their magic in getting the Witchspark to readers worldwide. I hope it can bring as much light and joy to readers as it has for me writing it.”
Louise Knight, head of rights at Usborne, commented: “We can’t wait to tell our international publishing partners across the world about Dominique’s unique magic and adventure and her quirky voice and characters. We know children everywhere will soon be under the spell of Witchspark.”