Tuesday 15 November 2011

Exciting news from Random House!

Random House Children’s Books has acquired four new debut dystopian novels for publication in 2012 and 2013. RHCB’s exciting wave of near-future titles, all acquired by Ruth Knowles, include:

Starters by Lissa Price, an American screenwriter, publishing in April 2012, is an action-packed thriller set in a world where eternal youthfulness can be had – at a price. One girl has the ability to bring it all tumbling down . . . RHCB acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Heather Shapiro at Baror International and will be launching globally alongside Random Inc for a truly international campaign.

A post- apocalyptic Los Angeles is the setting for Struck by Jenifer Bosworth, publishing in July 2012. After the city is devastated by an earthquake, Mia Price finds herself in the middle of a power struggle between two fanatical cults; one that wants to save the world and another that wants to destroy it. RHCB acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Alex Webb of the Rights People, acting on behalf of FSG.

Sangu Mandanna’s debut The Lost Girl publishes in early 2013 and centres around Eva, a feisty teen girl who technically has no true identity of her own. Eva is forced to abandon everything she's ever known and loved, finding herself torn between two worlds. RHCB acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Sarah Malloy of A.M. Heath acting on behalf of the Elizabeth Kaplan agency.

And finally, children’s librarian Emma Pass, releases ACID in early 2013. This action-packed novel introduces us to Jenna Strong, a truly kick-ass heroine who is serving time in an all-male prison for the murder of her parents. Set one hundred years in the future in a Big Brother style society; Britain is now under the control of ACID – a terrifying all-seeing police force. RHCB acquired world rights from Carolyn Whitaker of London Independent Books.

Ruth Knowles, Commissioning Editor comments, ‘Dystopian fiction is a much-talked about genre, particularly with the release of The Hunger Games movie next spring. We have acquired some fantastic futuristic thrillers that we know will appeal to this audience, and are confident that RHCB will have some of the most exciting novels in the genre. The worlds within them are very different from each other, but all completely hook you in from the first page and do not let go.’
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Personally I am very excited by these books. I have read the blurb on three of them so far and they made my spine tingle.  I can't wait to see these books released in the near future. 

13 comments:

  1. Ooh, Acid sounds so good! I do like kick-ass heroines and action-packed novels are usually a win for me! =D

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  2. I'm with Renu in that Acid sounds wonderful but then I love the idea of anything even remotely Big Brotherish.

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  3. These sound great, I'm particularly liking the sound of Starters and Acid.

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  4. Each of these sounds incredible, Vivienne! How lucky for you, and for us, that you are part of this! The Lost Girl sounds particularly intriguing.

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  5. Thank you SO much for posting this, Viv, and thank you everyone for the lovely comments! I really hope you'll enjoy ACID (it was a LOT of fun to write). The other books all sound wonderful - I can't wait to read them!

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  6. They all sound really good! I like the sound of Struck and ACID.

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  7. I wish they bought rights to more dystopians here in Norway as well. So far only The Hunger Games have been translated as far as I know.

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  8. That last one looks the best out of all of them to me. I love dystopian fiction in general, but lately I've noticed a lot of copycat writing that hasn't lived up to the hype. I'm hoping these all avoid that trend. :)

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  9. Renu - ACID sounds awesome. Can't wait.

    Petty Witter - scary stuff. I am not a great fan of Big Brother, but ACID is just calling to me.

    Jenni - wait until you see the cover for Starters....

    Emma - pleased to support debut authors. I can't wait to read it.

    Naida - Struck has been described as eerily familiar after recent world events.

    Mari - that is such a shame. Norway is definitely missing out.

    Alyce - I know what you mean. I have a feeling these may be different. From what I have heard about them,the made my spine tingle.

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  10. can't wait to read these. Esp. Emma Pass book cause she's so awesome :)

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  11. That is so true! At least for the readers that prefer to read only translate books. Oh, I forgot Blood Red Road has been translated as well.

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  12. Thank you for posting this, it's so exciting so be a part of such a great group of debut authors - and to see the support from YA readers!

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