Hot Key Books opens the door to graphic novels with new Arcana duology
Hot Key Books has locked up the rights to their first graphic-novel acquisition, Arcana: The Lost Heirs.
Senior commissioning editor Ella Whiddett acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to the graphic-novel duology from Kristin Dulaney at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group US.
Written and illustrated by debut author Sam Prentice-Jones, Arcana: The Lost Heirs is described as a magical, queer romantasy graphic novel with a cosy dark-magic aesthetic and coming-of-age narrative, following the character of Eli Jones.
Eli did not know other witches existed… until he meets James. Inducted into the Arcana, a secret magical society, Eli soon finds more than just spells and secrets within its walls, including romance and the family he never had.
But beneath the Arcana’s magical surface, something sinister is stirring. And when the group of young witches delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the deaths of their parents, they discover that the Arcana’s power comes at a cost – and they may be the ones fated to pay it.
Prentice-Jones said: "I have poured my heart into this world and these characters and I am so excited that in this difficult time in the UK for queer people, specifically trans people, Hot Key and I get to uplift and celebrate the community that I love so dearly. I hope this book resonates with anyone who is disappointed, angry and desperate for a diverse cast of magical characters they can identify with and root for."
Whiddett said: "I’m beyond thrilled to publish the first graphic novel on the Hot Key list with Sam’s Arcana – a spellbinding debut that blends magic, mystery and romance with simply stunning artwork. This heartfelt story is a powerful celebration of the families we choose, the love we fight for and the courage it takes to break the cycle."
