Author of the forthcoming THE LEGEND OF LEO Monica Acker’s PIRATE BABY, in which a captain takes whatever she fancies and never gives a single thing in return—until she fishes a houseplant from the sea and reluctantly tends to it, allowing them both to grow, illustrated by Susana Soto, to Michael Green at Marble Press, in a nice deal, for publication in fall 2026, by Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency for the author, and by Kate Webber at Good Illustration for the illustrator (world).

Hannah Lorenzo’s BEAUTY IS EVERYWHERE, the author’s debut, an interfaith story in which two best friends gather small, everyday treasures to create a mosaic for their neighborhood picnic; when they run out of time, their community steps in, adding final touches that show beauty really is all around, illustrated by Tasneem Amiruddin, to Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit, with Alison Behnke editing, for publication in fall 2026, by Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency for the author, and by James McGowan at BookEnds for the illustrator (world).

Jacqueline Firkins‘s PHILLIPA FLYNN’S YEAR OF PANIC AND PIRACY, in which an introverted history professor impulsively quits her job and teams up with a book cover model to revive her grandmother’s bestselling pirate romance series, to Emily Freidenrich at Lake Union Publishing, for publication in summer 2026, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency (world). Rights: om******@****on.com

Author-illustrator Katie Dwyer‘s BEAR’S FRIEND, following a bear who proudly introduces his new friend—a rock—to the forest animals, only to face doubt when the others don’t understand their bond; about friendship, self-acceptance, and staying true to the ones we love, to Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop, for publication in fall 2027, by Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency (world).

Michelle Lee at Dial has bought world rights to Tangled Tales of an Underground Market by Laura K. Zimmermann (l.), illustrated by Priscilla Tey. This nonfiction STEAM picture book explores the bustling market below the forest floor where plants, animals, and other creatures barter, lurk, protect, help, and more. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.

Emily Gray‘s CROWNED BY THE STARS, about a dutiful princess who journeys across her galaxy—aided by a handsome rogue space pilot—in order to secure a marriage alliance, but along the way learns that not everything she’s been told is true, forcing her to choose between what’s best for her people and best for her, to Sareer Khader at Ace, in a two-book deal, for publication in summer 2026, by Rebecca Matte at Bradford Literary Agency (world).

Author of the forthcoming SUCH A CLEVER GIRL Darby Kane‘s BLAME THE WIFE, set at a wealthy family’s gathering on the 10th anniversary of the father’s murder, where the mother issues a challenge that could lead to more killing—or so she hopes, to May Chen at William Morrow, in a good deal, in a two-book deal, for publication in winter 2027, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency (world). Film/TV: Katrina Escudero at Sugar23