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DK ventures into children’s fiction with new imprint DK flip
DK has launched its first children’s fiction imprint, DK flip, “dedicated to publishing flippin’ marvellous fiction”, having previously only published children’s non-fiction.
DK flip will publish across chapter books, early middle-grade, middle-grade, teen, graphic and YA. There are 14 titles scheduled to publish in 2025 on the DK flip list with 18 scheduled so far for 2026.
Acquisitions to the list will be made by Arabella Stein, trade strategy director at DK, and Francesca Young, associate publishing director, with support from the wider editorial and design team in-house at DK Children’s.
In addition, the DK+ division under managing director Mark Searle has a growing team of editors and designers now focused also on fiction. DK’s current rights, sales, marketing and PR teams will work closely with the DK flip design and editorial team.
Chief executive of DK Paul Kelly said the launch of DK flip “marks a significant step forward in our ambition to expand DK’s publishing across more genres”.
He added: “It’s been incredible to see the enthusiasm from authors eager to join DK and be part of this exciting new venture. With DK flip, we’re not only igniting the imaginations of young readers, but also bringing our authors’ stories to a global audience – paving the way for innovative storytelling that embodies DK’s commitment to helping children discover a lifelong love of reading.”
DK Children’s MD Sarah Larter commented: “The DK flip list is gripping, adventurous, exciting, heartbreaking, fantastical and romantic – there really is something for everyone. Historically, we have been better known for our non-fiction publishing, but at its heart, DK flip is a natural extension of what we do best – helping children to discover a love of reading.”
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Among the line-up of launch titles are Rosaria Munda’s YA fantasy trilogy The Aurelian Cycle, which was acquired by associate publishing director Francesca Young from Jenny Meyer at Jenny Meyer Literary Agency on behalf of Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency.
Fireborne, the first book in the series, will be published in paperback in May 2025 in the UK, to be followed by Flamefall in July 2025 and Furysong in September 2025.
DK flip will also publish The Sign Of The Raven by Pippa Dunn. Arabella Stein acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to The Sign of The Raven from Lydia Silver, director and agent at Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency. The first title in the two-book deal will publish in 2026.
Dunn said: “I am just so thrilled to be joining the DK family, and that The Sign of the Raven will be among the very first books published by DK flip: what an honour to be part of this magical new chapter for such a treasured publishing brand. I can’t wait to get started with Arabella and her brilliant team, and for readers to join The Corvi Signum – a secret society of lucid dreamers! – when the novel is published next summer.”
Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den (Head of Zeus) will write her first children’s historical fiction series for DK flip. World English-language rights, including audiobook, were secured by Stein from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment.
Harper’s first children’s book will be published in autumn 2026 in hardback with two further titles set to follow. The series is set in Roman times.
Furthermore, The Secret Society of Rebel Girls fiction series, which launched in 2024, will continue to expand with The Keeper of the Keystone in October 2025, followed by an as-yet-untitled third book both for DK flip. Other upcoming titles include Ollie George Clark’s Youngest Faircrest and Jen Calonita’s Isle of Ever.
