Wilson wins 'hotly contested' book
21.06.10 | Graeme Neill
Harriet Wilson has made her first acquisition since joining HarperCollins Children's Books from Random House, winning a "hotly contested" auction for a writer she dubbed "the funniest new voice in fiction".
Wilson, an editorial director, bought world rights to four books by Ivan Brett. The deal was concluded with Eve White at the Eve White Literary Agency for an undisclosed sum.
The first book, Casper Candlewacks in Death by Pigeon, is scheduled for publication in May 2011. Aimed at children aged nine and older, the publisher described the eponymous hero as "the only boy with any sense in a village full of idiots". When his village is cursed, it falls to Caspar and
his best friend to save the day.
Wilson said: "Every editor dreams of finding a unique talent like Ivan. He is both very clever and very silly – a combination that has led to him writing an uproariously funny book. It’s clear his mind isn’t quite like anyone else’s and that’s rather exciting."
White said: "I am thrilled to have added him to my children's list. Casper is a fantastically strong debut; it is rare to see such silliness, warmth and depth co-existing in one book."
