Walker bags Hayden's 'hilarious and heart-tugging' YA debut in two-book deal
Walker Books has bagged Chaz Hayden’s “hilarious and heart-tugging” YA debut, The First Thing About You, in a two-book deal.
Editorial director for fiction Annalie Grainger acquired UK and Commonwealth rights at auction from Alessandra Birch on behalf of Stephen Barr at Writers House. The First Thing About You will publish on 1st September 2022, followed by a second novel in 2024.
The publisher said: “The First Thing About You follows 15-year-old Harris who, after moving to a new school, is eager to prove he’s more than the teen in the powered wheelchair. Armed with his go-to icebreaker (’What’s your favourite colour?’), he’s determined to make friends with outgoing (yellow), adventurous (orange) and thrilling new people (red). But first he needs a nurse so his mum doesn’t have to escort him to school any more. Miranda more than fits the bill. Harris’ new aide sees him for who he is—funny, smart, and totally worthy of Nory Fischer, his classmate crush who refuses to name her favourite colour. Soon, Miranda has others interested in Harris too. But with demons of her own, does she have his best interests at heart?”
Hayden, like his main character, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy as an infant and spent his childhood in and out of hospitals. Through his writing and his YouTube channel, the Pennsylvania-based author encourages people to “be different, leave a trail”.
He said: “I’m so honoured to be joining the Walker family and be included with some of the most impressive and authentic books for young people. I can’t wait to share The First Thing About You with the world: a story that’s not just about a teenager with a disability but about love and friendship and the things all teenagers hope to experience.”
Grainger added: “This book has it all: a pitch-perfect script that is full of well-rounded characters as well as humour and a page-turning plot. Harris is a fantastic character, beautifully complex and real, and his story will stay with you for a long time. It is a book that we believe readers everywhere will adore.”
