Taylor, who lives on the south coast of England, found his inspiration for Malamander on his home shores-over time. Most recently, Taylor collaborated with Marcus Sedgwick on a graphic novel, Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone author and illustrator of the picture book My Loudest Roar author of Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake and Too Many Tickles, picture books illustrated by Jill Barton and Penny Dann, respectively and author of the Dan and the Dead series and Haunters, fiction for older readers. His credits include creator of Bloomsbury’s original cover for J.K. brokered the book deal, as well as Sony Pictures’ recent acquisition of film rights to Malamander for what the publisher calls a “substantial preempt.” Agent Kirsty McLachlan at London-based DGA Ltd. At that fair, Walker sold rights to the series in 12 territories. Malamander, which is illustrated by Tom Booth, made a splash from the onset, when Susan Van Metre, executive editorial director of Walker US, and Denise Johnstone-Burt, who holds the same title at Walker UK, acquired world rights to the trilogy in an eight-publisher, six-figure auction shortly before Bologna 2018. Walker US has a 50,000-copy first printing on order for Malamander, and in May 2020 will release the second title in the trilogy, Gargantis, whose cover is revealed here for the first time. Their quest involves the legendary Malamander, a part-fish, part-human monster whose egg allegedly makes dreams come true. His life enters rocky waters after plucky Violet Parma arrives at the hotel requesting his help finding her long-lost parents. The town takes on a different identity in winter, when dense mist rolls in and salt spray rattles the windows of the Grand Nautilus Hotel, home to young Herbie Lemon. Due out next month from Walker Books US, Thomas Taylor’s middle-grade fantasy Malamander launches the Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series, aptly named for the English coastal resort in which it’s set.

Malamander thomas taylor