CELEBRATIONS September 2020

Summer is fading, but fear not the kettles on and the fires ready to warm you up as we open a good book and bask in the warmth of Septembers good news. Join B B Taylor and share a hot chocolate as she shares some goodies with you! 

New Releases 

Alice Hemming is storming into our September celebrations with not just one .... but three! that's right three new books out this month. 'The Leaf Thief' written by Alice and illustrated by Nicola Slater is a picture book with Scholastic, out on 3rd September, about a squirrel who's worried about his missing leaves. She wrote the first draft of this text at the 2010 SCBWI conference!  The idea came to her walking back to the B&B after an inspiring day. It took a while for her to find the right voice but her lovely editor Fiz Osborne saw its potential. She found the amazing Nicola Slater to bring the characters to life. Now, ten years later, she is really excited to see it published. 'The Cursed Unicorn' (also out 3rd  Sep) is her third unicorn book for Scholastic: In the faraway kingdom of Elithia, Celene is cursed to take the form of a unicorn, but will she be able to break the magic that binds her? Last but by no means least is 'Arlo, Dr Bland and the Spooktacular Fair' is the third in the Class X series for Maverick (out 28th Aug). This time, Arlo and friends' new teacher seems to be from the Victorian times.

Rashmi Sirdeshpande is taking the book world by storm, with two new books out! She has worked so hard over the last few years to get to where she is now. Her newest books Never show a T-Rex a Book illustrated by Diane Ewen and published by Puffin, alongside, Dosh published by Hachette Kids look awesome!

Kate Thompson bravely leaps into September as her debut Superheroes Don't Get Scared illustrated by Claire Elsom launches this month, published by Trigger Publishing to help little ones with anxiety or worries! 

Chitra Soundar is also celebrating this month with her latest book from publisher Walker Books. Sona Sharma, Very Best Big Sister, illustrated by Jen Khatun, is loosely based on Chitra's childhood, growing up in Chennai, and set in a contemporary Chennai in a loving family with a fun cast of characters – Sona's school friends, teacher, her auto-rickshaw driver and Mum’s best friend Mullai – who all help Sona become the VERY BEST BIG SISTER to her baby sister.

Kate Poels is bouncing into September with her fun madcap mystery Mima Malone and the Mad Bad Inventor. Strange things are happening to the kids in Mima's neighbourhood. Blue mouths, webbed feet, clucking like a chicken. Some are disappearing altogether.The grown ups are stumped - as grown ups often are. But the clues are there for someone willing to look hard enough. And Mima and her friends are on the case...

The King has arrived! The King of the Swamp that is. Catherine Emmett is royally sliding onto our shelves with The King of The Swamp. Illustrated by Ben Mantle and published by Simon and Schuster. McDarkly lives quietly all on his own, growing orchids in his dank swamp, until one day his peace is disturbed by an arrogant king who wants to turn the swamp into a roller-skate park. McDarkly has ten days to prove that the swamp isn't damp and dark, but an enchanted world. Can he do it, or will he risk losing his home forever? 

Coming Soon 

Look out for Boy, Everywhere by the very talented W&P Deputy Ed A. M. Dassu. Follow the journey of Sami, a story of survival, of family, of bravery ... In a world where we are told to see refugees as the 'other', this story will remind readers that 'they' are also 'us'. Published by Old Barn Books with stunning cover art by Zainab 'Daby' Faidhi.

Agents 

Dan Brockington is welcoming in September with open arms as he celebrates signing with an agency. Dan recently accepted representation by The African Agency. We are so delighted and excited for him. They will be adding his manuscript The Grymcat Conspiracy to their lists for African Speculative Fiction and Children’s books.

Emily Kenny is celebrating the start of the new season as she has signed with Lauren Gardner at Bell Lomax Moreton and they're working on her debut Middle Grade novel 'Extraordinary Animals.'

Have you got a new agent? Don't be shy. Let us know so we can celebrate with you too! 

Awards 

Sue Dore has much to celebrate this month as she made it into the top three of the Templar Children’s Book Illustration and Design Competition (in the Non-fiction category). Keep your eyes peeled from the 17th September to find out exactly where she came!

Good News 

Congratulations to David Barker for winning the July 2020 Slushpile challenge! Judged by Jo Williamson of Antony Harwood who set the competition for SCBWI 

Share your good news with us and brighten our day!

*All images courtesy of authors mentioned above. 

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Have you got good news to share? New book? New agent? Award nominee or winner? Are you a new member? Say hi and let us know. Why not send an email over with your good news at celebrations@britishscbwi.org, a picture and any links so we can celebrate too :)