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Liz Cross, children's publisher at Oxford University Press, has moved swiftly to acquire Sky Hawk by Gill Lewis, a former vet who has recently completed the Bath Spa University Writing for Young People MA.
Within twenty-four hours of receiving the manuscript Cross said she had agreed a two-book deal. UK and Commonwealth rights were brokered by Victoria Birkett of the Miles Stott Children's Literary Agency.
Sky Hawk is Lewis' first novel; the author was selected as the most promising writer on her MA course. Cross said: "Something about Sky Hawk caught my attention from the second it hit my in-box that afternoon, as I both smiled and wept at my desk, I knew that this was a book we had to have on our list. Fitting perfectly into the classic OUP tradition of titles such as Tom's Midnight Garden, The Eagle of the Ninth and Pippi Longstocking, this is a book which will touch the hearts of all who read it."
Lewis added: "I am thrilled to be working with OUP. The story is one of friendship and hope, influenced by my passion for wildlife and the inspirational people I have known during my travels as a vet."