Affirm Press acquires Fiona Hardy’s debut middle-grade novel ‘Rosebud’

Affirm Press has acquired ANZ rights to debut middle-grade novel Rosebud by Readings bookseller Fiona Hardy.

Rights were negotiated by agent Danielle Binks of Jacinta di Mase Management.

Due to be published in 2019, the novel follows 11-year-old Hayley Whelan as she tries to turn her idea for a horror movie into reality over the summer holidays.

A draft of Rosebud was shortlisted in the 2016 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing, where judges described the novel as, ‘a sweet, funny, smart story for readers on the cusp of adolescence.’

Hardy said she was ‘beyond thrilled’ at the news, and added: ‘Since I heard Affirm wanted Rosebud, I haven’t been able to wipe the ridiculous smile off my face!’

Affirm senior editor (kids) Davina Bell said ‘Rosebud, like Fiona Hardy herself, is clever, funny and captivating’. She said Hardy’s ‘writing sings, the relationships are rich and beautifully drawn, the plot is compelling, but most of all, Rosebud is a love-song to the power of creativity.’

Category: Junior Local news Rights and acquisitions