Daphne Press snares two new YA titles by Andrew Joseph White
Daphne Press has acquired two new YA titles from bestselling author Andrew Joseph White.
Senior commissioning editor Davi Lancett has acquired UK and Commonwealth, excluding Canada, rights from Peachtree Teen in the US.
Coming in October 2026, You’re No Better is a contemporary “nightmarish” YA thriller about a struggling teen trying to convince the world, and himself, that he’s better than the serial killer who raised him.
The second book in the deal, Beast//Warden, is a YA fantasy-horror in which a cursed boy plans to kill the other apprentice vying for the dangerous position of Beastwarden, ensuring his survival in a village that hates him. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028.
Lancett said: “Andrew’s signature no-holds-barred queer horror returns at full force with these two titles. His poignant exploration of trans experiences mixed with utterly grotesque horror never fails to thrill, and readers are in for a treat.
“Whether it’s a gut-wrenching look at those who find themselves on the wrong end of a true-crime sensation, or a love story between two boys, a girl and a monster (plus a creepy forest and buckets of body-horror, why not?), here are two books you won’t be able to put down.”
White added “I’m delighted to be back with Daphne Press for my next two books. Working with them over the past few years has been wonderful, and I’m excited to continue our partnership. I can’t wait to tackle even more stories about angry, messy, imperfect trans kids tackling imperfect worlds – especially since, right now, those kinds of stories are more important than ever.”
