AF Steadman to publish Skandar origin story with S&S Children’s Books

Award-winning author AF Steadman surprised hundreds of Skandar fans at an event on Saturday 23rd August by announcing the upcoming publication of a Skandar origin story.

The First Unicorn Rider will be published on 6th November 2025 in a high-spec hardback format, with interior artwork by Manuel Šumberac. World rights in the text were acquired by publishing director Ali Dougal from Sam Copeland at RCW Literary Agency. World rights in the art were acquired by David McDougall from Robyn Newton at The Bright Agency.

The story is set around a thousand years before Skandar and the Unicorn Thief and tells the story of the first person to discover the Island and bond with a unicorn.

“When 13-year-old George Penhaligon finds himself shipwrecked and alone on a mysterious island, he makes an incredible discovery. Unicorns are real – and they’re bloodthirsty. Slowly, George gains one unicorn’s trust and together they explore the deserted island’s magical secrets. But there is a dark presence lurking in George’s new home, more deadly than any unicorn,” the blurb reads.

Over 750 fans attended Saturday’s event at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster, organised in conjunction with Waterstones Piccadilly to celebrate publication of the fifth Skandar novel, Skandar and the Spirit War (publishing on Thursday 28th August). As well as the opportunity to get their hands on early copies of an exclusive signed edition, the audience were the first to hear about The First Unicorn Rider.

Dougal said: “We’ve been keeping this tantalising secret for over a year, so to witness AF Steadman’s biggest fans react with such excitement to the announcement of this new book has been a magical moment. The First Unicorn Rider is a very special project: uncovering some of the mysteries of the Island we’ve come to know, the story is full of spine-tingling surprises, awesome creatures and the incredible world-building that AF Steadman has become known for. There are some very cool Easter eggs for fans – and it’s a brand new way in to the series for new readers too. To top it all off, Manuel Šumberac’s gorgeous artwork has brought the world to life in a way that we’ve never seen before. We’re so excited for readers to pore over the story.”

Steadman said: “Writing The First Unicorn Rider has been an absolute joy from start to finish. Creatively, I’ve known for a while that I am not finished with the world of Skandar and I am just so thrilled that the secret is finally out. It is also the very first time there have been illustrations for a Skandar book and Manuel Šumberac has brought so much magic to this world. I can’t wait for fans and new readers alike to get their hands on it later this year.”