Electric Monkey signs YA romcom by debut graphic novelist Miles Burks

Electric Monkey, Farshore’s young adult imprint, has acquired Encore! by debut graphic novelist Miles Burks, a YA queer romcom graphic novel adapted from a Webtoon of the same name.

Publishing director Lindsey Heaven and assistant editor Aleena Hasan acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Rachel Horowitz, senior rights director at HarperCollins US.

Publishing on 18th June 2026 in the UK and 16th June 2026 on the HarperAlley imprint in the US, Encore! follows former childhood best friends Clayton Noguchi and Aron Santos as they are forced to partner up in their senior year theatre class.

The description continues: "Where once they were thick as thieves, now the two sit on opposite ends of the high school social spectrum, as a theatre nerd and the popular jock. But despite all that has changed around and between them, they still can’t help but gravitate towards one another, and soon enough the boys are tentatively rekindling their friendship with improv, movie nights, late FaceTime conversations… and their growing feelings for one another."

"This is an utter page-turner and a butterfly-inducing, coming-of-age romance about breaking up and making up, coming out, and what it means to be true to yourself," the publisher says.

Miles Burks is a young trans Asian American artist and writer who was inspired to write this story so that he could see trans people like himself as the main characters in a romantic story. He said: "Encore! is a story I’ve poured my heart into from its beginning as a Webtoon in 2020, to now its adaptation into a graphic novel. I am so grateful for the opportunity for this story to reach even more readers with its publication in the UK.

"I hope you love reading Clay and Aron’s story as much as I have enjoyed getting to tell it. Whether you’re discovering Encore! for the first time, or returning after following it online, there will be something new to experience for everyone, and I hope you enjoy it!"

Hasan said: "Encore! felt like a warm hug of story from the very first read – sweet, funny and so genuinely earnest in a way that makes me ache for a relationship as wholesome as Clay and Aron’s. Miles is an incredible young voice so it’s no surprise that he’s captured the hearts of so many readers already.

"We need more stories like this to take centre stage, now more than ever, so we couldn’t be prouder UK champions of this beautiful graphic novel here at Electric Monkey. This will be the teen romcom to melt your heart next summer!"