Darcy Moon and Spencer Gray head stateside

Massachusetts-based publisher Star Bright Books has bought the US rights to two Fremantle Press junior reads this week: The Amazing Spencer Gray by Deb Fitzpatrick and Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs by Catherine Carvell.

Hamilton Hill author Deb Fitzpatrick whose first novel for adults, The Break, will be published in September said she nearly cried when the contract came through.

’I’m so excited about the sale of The Amazing Spencer Gray to the US! It’s been on the table for six months and it’s been killer not being able to jump up and down in public shouting out my news to anyone who’ll listen!’ said Fitzpatrick.

’It’s a wonderful thing to think that Spencer Gray is going to be able to share his story with a whole other audience,’ said Fitzpatrick.

The US sale of Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs came hot on the heels of the book’s March publication date in Australia. Catherine Carvell, who is currently on an author tour in Singapore, said a US deal hadn’t even entered her mind but that it was a dream come true.

‘I’m still reeling from its release in Australia. It’s just been so exciting to hear from kids that enjoyed the book,’ said Carvell.

‘As an author, that is the most exciting thing – that kids are reading your story. So the news about the US deal is still sinking in,’ said Carvell.

Star Bright Books specialises in books for young readers and for those working in literacy programs in North America. Editions of both books will appear in the USA in 2015.

Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Frogs and The Amazing Spencer Gray are available from all good bookstores and online.