News
Fickling signs Trash from Andy Mulligan
05.11.09 | Caroline Horn
David Fickling Books has acquired world English-language rights to Trash by Andy Mulligan following a "hard fought auction" in the UK and a pre-emptive bid in the US.
The novel, for readers aged 12+, will be published simultaneously by the imprint in the US and UK in autumn 2010. In the UK the deal was made by David Fickling Books with Jane Turnbull of the Jane Turnbull Literary Agency, and in the US by David Fickling Books US with Kenneth R Wright of Writers House acting on behalf of Turnbull.
David Fickling, publisher at DFB, said: "Oxygen levels on the planet will rise when this book gets published. So many people will be holding their breath to see what happens! It is a fantastic nail-biter. Young adult readers will love it, and in my opinion so will everybody else over the age of 12."
Mulligan said: You dream of working with a publishing house that is genuinely excited about books, stories, and getting those stories out to the world. As a teacher, I have already been hugely grateful to DFB - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time have made hundreds of English lessons rich experiences. Clearly this team has a passion for fine children's fiction, and has raised the bar. To think that my book is to be given that same imaginative treatment...well, it is very frightening and very exciting."
Trash he added was "one of those books where I knew the ending before the beginning".
Translation sales are being handled by Sally Riley at Aitken Alexander Associates Ltd on behalf of Jane Turnbull, and auctions are underway across Europe. In Spain, Sigrid Kraus, publisher at Salamandra, made a pre-emptive offer for Spanish Language rights following DFB’s acquisition.
Mulligan's debut, Ribblestrop, is shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2009.
