HarperCollins Children's Books Signs Newbery Medal-Winner Neil Gaiman For A Major Multi-Book Deal

NEW YORK, July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HarperCollins Publishers announced today that it has signed #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman to a major multi-book deal for three novels and two picture books that will feature the return of some beloved characters and introduce new favorites. Neil Gaiman is the author of many highly-acclaimed books for children and adults, including the New York Times #1 bestselling The Graveyard Book, the only book ever to win both the Newbery and the Carnegie Medals. He is also the author of the bestsellers Coraline, Stardust, and Odd and the Frost Giants. Coraline was made into an Academy Award-nominated animated feature film.

The multi-book deal for North American rights was negotiated at HarperCollins Children's Books by Kate Morgan Jackson, Editor-in-Chief, and Rosemary Brosnan, Executive Editor, with Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House.

"We are thrilled to sign these wonderful and diverse books by the immensely talented Neil Gaiman, who is such a treasure and has so many fans of all ages," says his editor, Rosemary Brosnan.

The two new picture books will center on Chu, the loveable little panda with the great big sneeze who stars in the forthcoming picture book Chu's Day, illustrated by Adam Rex. Chu's Day will be published on January 8, 2013. The Chu books were inspired by a visit Gaiman made to China. A hilarious young middle-grade novel titled Fortunately, the Milk will feature numerous interior illustrations by Skottie Young, and is an ode to the pleasure and wonders of storytelling itself.  Also included in the deal is a sequel to Odd and the Frost Giants, which will follow the Viking boy Odd on further adventures. In addition, Gaiman will write a middle grade novel, as yet untitled.

Neil Gaiman is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys (#1 NYT bestseller), and Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett); the Sandman series of graphic novels; and the short story collections Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things. He is also the author of books for readers of all ages including the #1 bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning novel The Graveyard Book, the bestselling novels Coraline and Odd and the Frost Giants; the short story collection M is for Magic and the picture books The Wolves in the Walls, The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish, and Crazy Hair, illustrated by Dave McKean; The Dangerous Alphabet, illustrated by Gris Grimly; and Blueberry Girl, illustrated by Charles Vess. He is the winner of numerous literary honors, including the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, and World Fantasy Awards, the Newbery Medal, and the Carnegie Medal. Originally from England, he now lives in America. Visit him online at www.neilgaiman.com.

About HarperCollins Children's Books
HarperCollins Children's Books is one of the leading publishers of children's books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures—Charlotte's Web, The Chronicles of Narnia, Goodnight Moon, Where the Sidewalk Ends, the Ramona series, Where the Wild Things Are; and popular new classics—The Graveyard Book, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Warriors, and Fancy Nancy. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children's Books delights young readers through engaging storytelling in all formats, including ebooks and apps. HarperCollins Children's Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, one of the leading English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, and India. You can visit HarperCollins Children's Books at www.harpercollinschildrens.com and HarperCollins Publishers at www.harpercollins.com.

SOURCE HarperCollins Publishers