DKW are thrilled to announce that Sarah Odedina at Pushkin Children’s Books has bought UK and commonwealth rights at auction to two novels by debut author Daisy May Johnson from Bryony Woods of Diamond Kahn & Woods Literary Agency. US rights were sold to Laura Godwin at Henry Holt, via Allison Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio.
The first novel, How To Be Brave, marks the launch of a remarkably creative, funny and rich series and will be published in Autumn 2021 with the second publishing the following year.
Daisy May Johnson is a researcher, critic and writer who specialises in children’s literature. She co-hosts Novel Gazing, a fortnightly podcast all about literary fiction, for Book Riot and writes their weekly newsletter about the new releases in the children’s literary world; teaches for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and the University of York Centre for Lifelong Learning; temps in her local public library, and runs the review blog Did You Ever Stop To Think. In her spare time, she is doing a PhD. She can be found on social media @chaletfan.
Daisy May Johnson says: ‘I am so very thrilled to be working with Pushkin and Henry Holt on bringing How To Be Brave into the world. This is a book about the redemptive power of a well-timed biscuit, the mysteries of ducks, and friendships formed under the most trying of circumstances. I can’t imagine better publishers for it.’
Sarah Odedina says: ‘How To Be Brave is the perfect adventure for young readers: a lost parent, a group of friends who pull together no matter what, a mystery around a duck and a trip to the amazon, what more could we want! With Daisy’s wonderful imagination, her sheer joy in the world she has created and her brilliant handling of jeopardy and adventure this is a book that will delight and engage a multitude of young readers. Pushkin is thrilled to have a two book deal.’
Laura Godwin says: ‘Daisy May Johnson’s voice is uniquely playful and irreverent. Who else could elevate the humble footnote from stodge to star! We’re thrilled to have her on our list and can only hope How to Be Brave is the first of many more to come.’
Bryony Woods says: ‘Daisy May Johnson is an astonishing new talent, whose writing is bursting with heart, joy, quirkiness and an extraordinary number of jokes about ducks. I’m absolutely delighted that after a passionately fought auction, her debut How To Be Brave has found the perfect home in the UK with Pushkin, and in the US at Henry Holt.’
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