Piccadilly Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is delighted to announce the acquisition of Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters and its sequel; a thrilling fantasy adventure series and the middle grade debut from acclaimed YA author Ciannon Smart.
Ella Whiddett, commissioning editor at Piccadilly Press, acquired UK & Commonwealth English- language rights to two books from Suzie Townsend and Sophia Ramos at NewLeaf Literary.
The first book follows notorious troublemaker Rayleigh Mann as he discovers that the father he never knew is actually the Bogey Mann, the most terrifying of all monsters, the Supreme Scarer himself – but he’s missing. Whisked away to find Bogey, Rayleigh travels to Below London, the magical home of monsters, on an adventure straight out of his wildest dreams – or perhaps his most terrifying nightmares.
Ciannon Smart said: “Cheeky and daring, Rayleigh Mann is never short of trouble, or an amazing pair of trainers. I hope his story, set in a monstrous London not unlike ours, gives readers a new reason to check underneath their beds.”
Ella Whiddett, commissioning editor at Piccadilly Press, said: “We are so excited to be working with Ciannon on her middle grade debut where the bad guys are really the good guys! I have been totally swept away by the world of Below London and Ciannon’s masterfully imaginative, escapist and funny storytelling, and know many young readers will be too.”
Ciannon Smart is of Jamaican heritage and grew up in a small town in the south-east of England. As the only daughter in a house full of boisterous sons, she developed a voracious appetite for reading from an early age, preferring anarchy in stories rather than real life. She is the author of the Witches Steeped in Gold Young Adult fantasy duology. Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters is her middle grade debut. She can be found on www.ciannonsmart.com/
Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters will be publishing in paperback, ebook and audio on 26thSeptember 2023, followed by the second instalment in September 2024.
