Everyone is talking about 'Unspeakable'!

This week the Celebrations Team is delighted to announce that UNSPEAKABLE, the outstanding YA debut by Abbie Todd, is set for publication by ATOM next Spring.







Abbie Todd grew up in a small village near Newmarket, Suffolk and now lives in a village near Newbury, Berkshire. She has a degree in English Literature with Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, and currently works as an editor at a leading educational publisher in Oxford. While working as a part-time bookseller during her studies, Abbie re-discovered a love of children’s and young adult books and in 2010 she was a winner of SCBWI’s very own Undiscovered Voices competition.

We found out what Abbie had to say about her publishing deal.

“I'm absolutely thrilled to see my dream becoming a reality. There's no way I would be here without SCBWI, so massive thanks to Sara Grant and Sara O'Connor and all the Undiscovered Voices gang for helping to make this happen. When I won Undiscovered Voices in 2010 and signed with my agent, Jodie Hodges, the dystopian novel I'd written was a little too early for the dystopia phase. My second book - also a dystopia - was too late! I'd wanted to write a gay YA love story for a long time, as I think it's a shame to not see more of them from UK writers. I'm delighted that mine and Jodie's hard work, dedication and perseverance has paid off.”

Unspeakable is the story of 15-year-old Megan, who hasn't uttered a word since the death of her best friend, Hana. But everything changes when she falls for Jasmine, who has the potential to unlock Megan's voice and reveal the truth about Hana's death.

Kate Agar, Commissioning Editor of ATOM says:

“When I started to read Unspeakable I was gripped; by the time I had finished I was certain I'd found a fantastic new voice for UK YA. The writing draws you in immediately and difficult topics are handled with ease. Unspeakable is a thriller, certainly, but it's the assured handling of first love and complicated friendships in this debut that will stay with readers long after they've turned the last page. I'm so delighted that Abbie has chosen to make her home with Atom.”  

Please join us in a big round of applause as we celebrate with Abbie! We can’t wait to read ‘Unspeakable’, which is due to be published in March 2015, for ourselves.

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Clare Welsh joined SCBWI in Feburary 2013 after her marriage to her lovely husband James was under threat from constant chunterings, questions and reading aloud over the football. She is thoroughly enjoying all that SCBWI has to offer, including helping Tania celebrating SCBWI successes as part of the Words & Pictures editorial team, and is pleased that her marriage is still firmly intact.

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