Usborne launches 'unputdownable' middle-grade monster series

Usborne is to launch 21% Monster, a fantasy middle-grade series from debut author P J Canning. 

Commissioning editor Stephanie King acquired world rights for the three books in the 21% Monster series from John Lomas-Bullivant, agent and storyworld producer at Kickback Media.

Described as "page-turning, cinematic and utterly unputdownable" by King, the first book in the series, also titled 21% Monster, follows Darren Devlin, who is arrested for destroying his school with his bare hands.

"It’s not just the police who are after him," reads the synopsis. "Enter Marek Masters, 14 years old, 19% alien, and the most intelligent, most wanted “almost human” alive. Marek is here to tell Darren the truth – he is 21% monster, and they need to take down the secret organisation that created them.

The series was written by Canning in collaboration with Lomas-Bullivant. Lomas-Bullivant was previously director of IP and brand development at Bloomsbury Publishing, head of animation at Pearson Television and head of development and co-productions at HiT Entertainment. He works with emerging and unpublished authors to develop high concept story worlds for print and screen-based media companies.

21% Monster will publish in July 2022, with books two and three following in 2023.