New World Rights Deal for Curtis Jobling
Kendra Levin, senior editor at Viking Children’s Books in New York, has acquired world rights to the first two volumes of Curtis Jobling’s new supernatural thriller series for middle-grade children, MAX HELSING: MONSTER HUNTER, from agent John Jarrold. The advance was a high five-figure sum in US dollars and the first book will be published in 2015.
On first impression Max Helsing looks like a slacker kid – tatty bomber jacket, hoodie hanging out, threadbare jeans and a grubby pair of sneakers. With his backpack slung over his shoulder you might see any number of twelve year-old kids just like him in malls and comic shops across the country. Only take a look in that backpack for a moment – no schoolbooks here. Instead there are vials of potions, holy water, sprigs of wolfsbane and a lucky rabbit’s foot. There are spell scrolls and ancient maps, totems and warding symbols, gizmos and gadgets. Okay, okay, so there IS a laptop too, but that’s nestled between a rare copy of Vile’s Grimoire and Urgo’s Pocketbook of Essential Cantrips.
Curtis Jobling said: ‘Max Helsing: Monster Hunter has been a story I’ve wanted to tell for years. Marrying classic ‘Creature Feature’ horror characters, cryptozoological mysteries and good old fashioned ghosts, ghouls and goblins, Max’s world is a melting pot of all things monstrous. He’s a slacker kid who faces each horror with unflappable verve and wit; he’s Peter Venkman for a new generation. I’m absolutely delighted to be following on from the success of Wereworld with Penguin on a thrilling new series!’
Curtis Jobling designed the Bafta winning BOB THE BUILDER and is also the creator of FRANKENSTEIN’S CAT, the BBC’s hit children’s animation series based upon his book of the same name. His latest animated creation, RAA RAA THE NOISY LION, can be seen on CBeebies presently. Puffin UK and Viking US have published all six volumes of his WEREWORLD children’s’ fantasy series and he also has a new series of spooky novels for children, HAUNT, coming in 2014 and 2015. In addition he has numerous shows in development with Disney, the BBC and others.