Penguin, an imprint of Penguin Random House Children’s, is excited to be publishing Ordinary Boy by author, presenter and LGBTQ+ advocate Calum McSwiggan. World rights for two standalone books were acquired by Ben Horslen at Penguin Random House Children’s from Ella Kahn at Diamond Kahn & Woods. This inclusive, high concept romance is perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Sex Education and is set to be released in May 2023.
Seventeen-year-old Max has always been out, proud and just a little spoiled. Frustrated by the lack of romantic options in his small-town high school, during an argument with his lifelong best friend Dean, Max lashes out and says he wishes he had never been born gay. Max gets more than he bargained for when he wakes up to find his wish has come true – not only have his feelings for boys vanished, but so has Dean. With his school life turned upside down and his relationship with his family in tatters, Max sets out on a journey of rediscovery to find a way back to the life he took for granted, and the romance he thought he’d never have.
Calum McSwiggan says: ‘This book is very much the story of all the things so many of us never got to have. I longed for queer romance growing up and never got to experience it, but I’ve been able to well and truly live vicariously through these characters and their stories, and I can’t wait for them to be out in the world in the hope that others can do that too.’
Ben Horslen, Publisher at Penguin Random House Children’s, says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be publishing ORDINARY BOY. Calum has brilliantly captured the roller-coaster experience of life as a gay teen – from the heartstopping thrill of that first crush to the challenges of prejudice to the joy of finding your own place in the LGBTQ+ family. Max is a hero that every YA reader, queer or straight, can relate to, and the story of his search for love is simply as swoonworthy as they come.’
Ella Kahn, agent at Diamond Kahn and Woods, comments: ‘Penguin is the dream team for publishing LGBTQ+ YA fiction, so I’m thrilled to have partnered Calum up with Ben for his debut novel and this exciting new stage in his career. ORDINARY BOY is a truly special story of first love and finding your identity, and I know readers are going to adore it.’
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