Deals

Forthcoming

Deals are ordered by announcement date. Click any deal to bring up a scrollable, in-page gallery.

Feather Flores at Atheneum has acquired world rights to Enchanted by Life: The Stories of Chicano Cuentista Rudolfo A. Anaya by Jenny Lacika (l.), illustrated by Victor Bizar Gómez. This biography follows Rudolfo Anaya on his journey to becoming the padrino of Chicano literature, employing magical realism and celebrating the power of storytelling in all its forms. Publication is slated for 2027; Miranda Paul while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought the first two books in Triona Murphy's debut middle grade series The Wandering Shop. In the first book, Socks & Secret Quests, an 11-year-old apprenticed to a traveling magical shop that equips adventurers for epic quests enlists a squabbling team to help rescue her mentor from a dark wizard, and discovers that her cozy comfort knitting might be the magical gift that saves them all. Publication will begin in fall 2026; Rebecca Eskildsen at Writers House negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has acquired world rights, at auction, to Swim Like Them by PB Rising Stars Mentorship Program co-founder Ebony Lynn Mudd (l.), illustrated by Matt Williams. Pitched as 1619: Born on the Water meets Jabari Jumps, this stereotype-busting picture book follows a Black child learning to swim and drawing power from the truth that Black Americans have always been deeply connected to the water. Publication is set for early summer 2027; Erin Murphy while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought, at auction, in a two-book, six-figure deal, a dystopian middle grade duology by Shanna Upchurch. Pitched as Alone meets The City of Ember, the first book, A Garden Lost, follows a girl with an affinity for gardening as she and other artisan children board a mysterious billionaire's massive ship to survive a world-ending flood—and soon realize the real danger may lie within. Publication will begin in spring 2027; Emily van Beek and Estelle Laure at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has acquired world rights to My Mind Is an Ocean by Chloe Ito Ward (l.) (Made for More), illustrated by Wastana Haikal (Street Puppy; Masjid Cat), a picture book in which a child with ADHD celebrates the unique complexity of their brain through empowering ocean metaphors. Publication is planned for 2027; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought, in an exclusive submission, Flipturns, a YA graphic novel by Andi Porretta (Ready or Not). Pitched for fans of the Tamakis and set in the suburbs of Philadelphia, this queer love story follows two girls who strike a deal to swap tutoring for swim coaching, only to fall hard into a first love neither of them saw coming. Publication is scheduled for summer 2028; Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought world rights, in an exclusive submission, to Seven: The Courage, Artistry, and Teamwork of BTS by literary scholar L. Leoi, illustrated by Maja, in their middle grade debut. This retrospective, made by fans for fans, explores the history of the K-Pop group and shows how the dreams of seven boys from Korea became the dreams of millions of fans around the world. Publication is set for 2026; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Sophia Jimenez while at Atheneum has acquired world rights to A Good Night, Una Nochebuena, a picture book by Latinx Kidlit Book Festival co-founder Ismée Williams (l.), illustrated by Erika Meza (To the Other Side), in which a shy Latine narrator and their family take in a group of tourists stranded by a blizzard and celebrate Christmas Eve with them. Feather Flores will edit; publication is planned for fall 2026. Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Claire Cartey at Holroyde Cartey represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has won, in a six-figure auction, A Prince Among Pirates, a queer YA romance by debut author Katie Abdou, pitched as Our Flag Means Death for fans of F.T. Lukens and Aiden Thomas, with the irreverent voice of My Lady Jane, in which a foppish nobleman accidentally joins a pirate ship and falls for its debonair captain. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Keir Alekseii at Azantian Literary did the deal for North American rights.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought, in a preempt, the first two books in an early graphic novel series by author-illustrator Erin Barker (Mr. Pumpkin's Tea Party). The first book, Hugo and the Pirates, follows the adventures of Hugo the sloth and the quirky pirate crew of the Black Pearl, for fans of Ben Clanton and Geronimo Stilton. Publication is planned for spring 2027 and spring 2028; Natascha Morris at the Tobias Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought world rights to Alight: How the Red-Crowned Parrot Found a New Place to Belong by Jennifer Torres (l.), illustrated by Molly Magnell, a nonfiction picture book about how the Red-Crowned Parrot, originally native to Mexico, learned to survive and thrive in new environments in the U.S. as a naturalized species. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has acquired, in a preempt, world rights to Like a Mother Bear by poet and educator Mary E. Cronin (l.), illustrated by J Yang (If You're a Kid Like Gavin). This nonfiction picture book biography celebrates the life of PFLAG founder, queer rights activist, and loving mother figure Jeanne Manford, told in a mix of prose and quotes from the letters Jeanne wrote to and received from queer kids across the country. Publication is set for spring 2027; Lori Steel at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has won, in a five-house auction, Australian storyboard artist Ranran Zhou's graphic novel debut, a middle grade tentatively titled Momo, and a sequel. Both books star precocious young witch Momo Lim, who lives in a retirement home for magical creatures and yearns to become a detective like her late father; in book one, Momo bites off more than she can chew by trying to solve a poisoning that takes place at a garden party. Publication of the first book is scheduled for 2026; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Feather Flores while at Chronicle acquired world rights to The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan author Kristen Mai Giang's (l.) picture book biography Michelle the First: How Action Hero Michelle Yeoh Danced, Acted, and Dreamed Her Own Path, illustrated by Kuri Huang. This true story follows the rise of the Malaysian Chinese movie star from the ballet stage, to the action-packed sets of Hong Kong, to the dazzling lights of Hollywood, as she broke new ground while staying true to her creative self—even, and especially, in situations where she found she was the "only one." Publication is set for spring 2025; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Sally Heflin at Heflinreps represented the illustrator.

Out in the World

Gretchen Powell Fox's SHATTERED CROWN Trilogy, including two previously self-published books and one original title, an enemies-to-lovers romantasy pitched as THRONE OF GLASS meets THE SERPENT & THE WINGS OF NIGHT, in which a shadow-wielding fae reluctantly fights through a brutal series of trials alongside the brooding human knight who hates her-but who she keeps saving anyway, to Feather Flores at Scarlett Press, in a six-figure deal, in a pre-empt, in a three-book deal, for publication in 2026, by Katie Shea Boutillier at Donald Maass Literary Agency (world English).
Sophia Jimenez while at Atheneum won, at auction, Black History Is Your History by TikTok personality and digital content creator Taylor Cassidy; Feather Flores will edit. This lightly illustrated YA nonfiction features 12 figures from Black history whose groundbreaking contributions shaped America, as well as personal anecdotes and relatable stories that illuminate each trailblazer's impact on her life. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Sian-Ashleigh Edwards and Sabrina Taitz at WME brokered the deal for U.S., Canadian, and open market rights.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought world rights to We Go Slow by Ezra Jack Keats Honor author Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie (l.) (Layla's Happiness), illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Aaron Becker (Journey), a picture book that follows a Black child and her elder in an experience of everyday wonder as they enjoy a walk through their vibrant city neighborhood. Publication is set for fall 2025; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has acquired world rights, at auction, to Rose by the Sea by Rebecca Rose Mooradian (l.), illustrated by Myo Yim, the account of a child's emigration from Armenia to the U.S. during the Armenian Genocide, inspired by the journey of the author's great-grandmother. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Alice Fugate at Joy Harris Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Emeka, Eat Egusi! by NBA finalist and Printz Honoree Candice Iloh (l.) (Every Body Looking), illustrated by Bea Jackson (Parker Looks Up), a picture book about a Nigerian-American boy on the autism spectrum who insists on eating his Mama's homemade Jollof rice for dinner every night, until an afternoon in the kitchen helping Mama cook Egusi shows him that sometimes different can be good. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Patricia Nelson at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Alex Borbolla while at Atheneum bought world rights to Speaking of America: United States Presidents and the Words That Changed History, the debut children's book by Jared Cohen (Accidental Presidents) (l.), illustrated by Vivian Shih; Feather Flores will edit. This nonfiction collection in the vein of Herstory unpacks the meaning and historical significance of quotes from all 45 U.S. presidents. Publication is slated for late summer 2024; Andrew Wylie at the Wylie Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Alex Borbolla while at Atheneum bought world rights to Talking Books: Dr. Robert B. Irwin and a New Way to Read, a nonfiction picture book by Jenny Lacika (l.), illustrated by Ashanti Fortson, in their picture book debut; Feather Flores will edit. This biography details how perpetually curious Robert B. Irwin found new ways to learn and explore the world after losing his sight at a young age, ultimately making stories accessible to readers of all abilities through the creation of the first audiobooks. Publication is set for spring 2026; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Susan Graham at Einstein Literary represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores while at Chronicle bought world rights to When Twilight Comes, a nonfiction picture book by Marcie Flinchum (l.), illustrated by Michelle Morin; Melissa Manlove will edit. The book is about crepuscular animals and plants, as seen in one day from dawn to dusk. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Roseanne Wells did the deal while at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, and the illustrator represented herself.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has bought, in a six-figure preempt, The No-Girlfriend Rule, a queer YA romance by debut author Christen Randall, pitched as Heartstopper meets Fangirl with the fat pride of Dumplin'. When her boyfriend's "no girlfriends at the table" rule excludes her from participating in a roleplaying game, high school senior Hollis Beckwith joins an all-girls group instead. As Hollis starts to believe she can be more than just fat, anxious, and a little lost, an in-game crush develops between her character and charismatic Aini Amin-Shaw's—but Hollis wants their romance to be more than just pretend. Publication is set for spring 2024; Becca Langton at Darley Anderson did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Alex Borbolla, while at Atheneum, has bought middle grade novel Sunny Parker Is Here to Stay by Margaret Finnegan, in a two-book deal, to be edited by Feather Flores. Sunny never thought living in an affordable housing complex made her different—until the development of a new complex is halted by her affluent neighborhood's loud opposition. As rumors of "people like her" damaging the community begin to spread, Sunny teams up with her best friend to change the narrative. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Tracy Marchini at Bookends Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Feather Flores, while at Chronicle Books, acquired world rights, at auction, to The Ofrenda That We Built, written by mother-daughter duo Jolene Gutiérrez (l.) and Shaian Gutiérrez (c.), illustrated by Gabby Zapata (r.) in her picture book debut. This celebration of Día de Muertos invites readers of all backgrounds to join in the building of the family ofrenda, one special element at a time. Publication is set for fall 2024; Elizabeth Lazowski will edit. Kaitlyn Sanchez at Context Literary Agency represented the authors, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Viva!, the middle grade debut of Mónica Mancillas (l.) (Mariana and Her Familia), illustrated by Isadora Zeferino (Mismatched). This nonfiction compendium introduces young readers to visionary figures of Latine heritage, from Amalia Hernandez and Sylvia Rivera to César Milstein and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and encourages future Latine leaders to make their own impact on the world. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the author, and Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Little Dumplings, a multicultural board book celebration of dumplings around the world, from debut authors (clockwise from l.) Jekka Kuhlmann, Krissy Kuhlmann, and Haley Hazell, illustrated by Manita Boonyong. Publication is slated for spring 2023; the authors and the artist represented themselves.
Feather Flores at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Two New Years by Richard Ho (l.), illustrated by Lynn Scurfield, a picture book that invites readers to experience the beauty of Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year traditions, paying homage to the practices that make each celebration unique while illuminating the themes of abundance, family, and deepest hope that they both share. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Feather Flores at Chronicle has bought world rights to A Treasure of Measures by Mike Downs, a nonfiction picture book that introduces readers to units of measurement, while also encouraging them to be silly, use their imaginations, and immerse themselves in the wonder of the world around them. Joy Hwang Ruiz will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2023. Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Molly O'Neill at Root Literary represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Chronicle has bought world rights to Maria Mariposa by Karla Arenas Valenti (l.), a bilingual story about a girl who receives a gift from her home in Mexico, on her first day of school in the U.S.—and how she finds a way to share the magic of that gift with everyone around her. Ana Ramírez González will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2023. Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Chronicle has acquired world rights to The Twelve Cats of Christmas, illustrated by Disney story artist Carrie Liao in her picture book debut. This festive take on the classic "12 Days of Christmas" song stars 12 cat characters celebrating the holiday season in true feline fashion: cuddling up by a fire, chasing ribbons, climbing the tree, and generally making mischief. Publication is set for fall 2022; Liao was unagented.