Nosy Crow is delighted to announce the acquisition of two standalone middle-grade novels from author Hayley Webster. The first of these, Luna Rae Is Not Alone, will be published in July 2021, with the second to follow in July 2022. Tom Bonnick, Senior Commissioning Editor at Nosy Crow, acquired world rights in all languages from Jo Unwin at the Jo Unwin Literary Agency.
Warm, engaging and relatable, Luna Rae Is Not Alone is a book about families and friendship. It’s about how children notice far more than adults give them credit for, even if they don’t always reach the right conclusions. It’s about the shame of parental neglect, and how hard it is for children to ask for help. And it’s about how children create worlds for themselves, whilst trying to protect themselves and the adults around them.
Luna has moved to a new house and a new school. It’s hard fitting in – especially when there’s so much to worry about at home. Most importantly: where is her mum, and what has her dad been hiding from her?
Hayley Webster comments: “I’m absolutely delighted that Nosy Crow will be publishing Luna Rae Is Not Alone. Luna is a character close to my heart and I’ve wanted to put her in a story for a long time. Nosy Crow are known for publishing exciting and meaningful children’s fiction, so I’m honoured to be part of their publishing story, and to work with Tom Bonnick as an editor to bring Luna’s story to life!”
Tom Bonnick, Senior Commissioning Editor at Nosy Crow, comments: “I first came across Hayley’s beautiful writing on Twitter, and straight away I knew that I wanted to read more from her. She is a born storyteller, with the most incredibly distinctive and nuanced voice, filled with empathy, insight, and wry humour, and I am delighted to be publishing her first middle-grade novels.”
Jo Unwin, children’s literary agent, comments: “Nosy Crow felt perfect for Hayley – a child- and parent-focused publisher that recognises that not all the families are the same.”
Hayley Webster is a primary school teacher. She has previously written the Teacup House series for emerging readers (Usborne) under the name Hayley Scott, as well as an adult novel, One Christmas Night (Trapeze). Luna Rae Is Not Alone is her first middle-grade book.
