Piccadilly Press is delighted to announce the acquisition of Shiver Point by Gabriel Dylan, a hair-raising new horror series for middle-grade readers.
Editor Ella Whiddett commissioned Dylan to write four books in the series, obtaining world rights in all languages and film, TV and dramatisation rights from Polly Nolan at PaperCuts Literary Agency & Consultancy.
The first book, It Came from the Woods, will introduce readers to the small town of Shiver Point, where nothing interesting ever happens. Until one night, when Alex spots what looks like a meteorite plummeting into Howlmoor Forest. Intrigued, Alex goes to investigate. But little does he know four other kids have also spotted the strange streak in the sky: ‘troublemaker’ Oli, studious Sophia, curious Mo and budding engineer Riley. What they discover is far beyond their wildest dreams – in fact it belongs in their nightmares. Each book will follow the group of friends as they solve a new spooky mystery in town.
Gabriel Dylan said: ‘I can’t wait for readers to take a trip to Shiver Point. It’s been fantastic to work with Ella and the team at Piccadilly to write something full of scares, laughs, and creepy creatures – all the things I love myself!’
Ella Whiddett, editor at Piccadilly Press, said: ‘We are so excited to be welcoming readers to Shiver Point, where gore and ghouls are perfectly combined with humour and hijinks. At its heart, this is a series about friendship, teamwork and overcoming your fears (with a few bloodthirsty aliens and sinister scarecrows thrown in for good measure!) and Gabriel completely immerses the reader in the world of this not-so-boring town.’
Gabriel Dylan is a surfer, snowboarder, secondary-school teacher and children’s author. He’s a huge horror fan, having grown up on a diet of King, Herbert and Laymon. He is the author of YA horror novel Whiteout. Shiver Point will be his first middle-grade series. He lives in the south-west of England with his wife and three children.
Shiver Point: It Came from the Woods will be publishing in paperback, audio and eBook in September 2023. Books 2 and 3 will follow in 2024 and Book 4 in 2025.
