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Head of Zeus has bought two books from award-winning Ghanaian-British documentary filmmaker and journalist Yaba Badoe.
Fiona Kennedy, publisher of Zephyr, the new children’s imprint at Head of Zeus, acquired world rights to A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars, and a second untitled novel, by Badoe from Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander. A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars is described as “a powerful and haunting contemporary debut” which features people-trafficking as well as African fairy-tale and folklore.
Badoe was nominated for the Distinguished Woman of African Cinema Award in 2014 and her adult novel, True Murder was published in 2009 by Jonathan Cape. A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars is her first book for readers aged 12 and above, and will be published on 7th September.
Kennedy said: “Yaba’s writing is truly memorable - rich in the rhythms and colours of Africa and glittering circus days, unflinching in its dark revelations about life. Her voice, imagination and story-telling mark an exceptional debut and sets the bar high for Zephyr. I’m excited to welcome her to the list and to work with her.”
Badou said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars is about to be published by Zephyr. I've lived with the story for many years, but after I met Fiona Kennedy, her enthusiasm and insight helped me transform it to such an extent that its now ready to find an audience."
Head of Zeus announced plans for the Zephyr imprint last November with the first title revealed as The White Hare by Michael Fishwick, to be published next month.