Walker snaps up two 'timeless' stories from debut author

Walker Books has acquired The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice from debut author Rachel Chivers Khoo in a two-book deal.  

World rights for two titles were acquired by fiction editorial director Annalie Grainger from Claire Wilson, at the RCW agency. Publishing in February 2023, The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice will be illustrated throughout in black and white by award-winning Finnish illustrator Teemu Juhani, who is represented by Robyn Newton at The Bright Agency.

Aimed at readers aged 7+,  the story follows the magical world of wishkeepers, creatures that grant and care for wishes, and about holding onto hope.

"When ten-year-old Felix makes a special wish, little does he realize he is about to be recruited as an apprentice wishkeeper," the synopsis explains. "Along with wishkeeper extraordinaire Rupus Beewinkle, Felix must now save wishes from the terrifying wishsnatcher, who wants to destroy hopes and dreams everywhere."

 “Rachel’s imagination just shines from the page, from the gorgeous character names to the charming and intricate details about the world of wishkeeping," Grainger said. "Her story has an effortless and timeless quality to it, making it a book that readers will want to return to again and again."

Chivers Khoo studied English literature at Oxford University and has a Masters in Creative Writing from Queen’s University Belfast. She works in book publishing and lives in London. The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice is her debut novel. 

“I’m over the moon to be working with the brilliant team at Walker Books," she said. "It is an absolute childhood dream come true—I’m certain a wishkeeper must have been involved—and I’m endlessly grateful to my brilliant agent, Claire, who has believed in my writing from the start. Seeing Teemu’s illustrations bringing Felix Jones and Rupus Beewinkle to life has been truly magical and I’m so excited for everything that lies ahead.”

Juhani is an award-winning illustrator, comic artist and graphic designer. He has illustrated a number of books for children, including Claire Barker’s Picklewitch and Jack (Faber & Faber.) “’I’m thrilled to be illustrating Rachel’s debut story," he said. "Her wonderful characters immediately caught my imagination and I know I’ll enjoy every moment of visualising them and the world Rachel has created.”