Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers to Publish New YA Novel by Becca Fitzpatrick
October 02, 2012
**For immediate release**
SIMON & SCHUSTER BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS TO PUBLISH
A NEW YOUNG ADULT NOVEL BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR BECCA FITZPATRICK
NEW YORK, LONDON and SYDNEY, October 1 – Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers announced today that it will publish a new young adult novel written by Becca Fitzpatrick, the New York Times bestselling author of the Hush, Hush Saga. The Hush, Hush Saga currently has 2 million books in print. Fitzpatrick’s new novel will be called Black Ice and will be published internationally by Simon & Schuster UK and Simon & Schuster Australia, and will also be available as an audiobook from Simon & Schuster Audio. Black Ice will be supported by a major marketing campaign and an international author tour.
Black Ice is a riveting stand-alone psychological thriller that takes place against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Seventeen-year-old Britt Pfeiffer has been training to backpack the crest of the Teton Mountains, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two occupants—who then take her hostage. In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off into the storm, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. But the task isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Finding one chilling piece of evidence after another, Britt uncovers the truth about a series of murders that have taken place in the region . . . and in uncovering this she may become the killer’s next target.
“From the very first page of the very first reading of Hush, Hush, we could tell Becca had conjured something special, something absolutely addicting,” said Justin Chanda, Vice President Publisher of Books for Young Readers. “That is exactly how we felt when we read the opening of Black Ice. This powerhouse author has done it again!”
Becca Fitzpatrick adds, “Black Ice is about a girl who backpacks the Teton Range over spring break of her senior year of high school but things go terribly wrong. Like Hush, Hush, the inspiration behind Black Ice comes from my own experiences during my teen years. It’s very satisfying to finally be working on a project that has been floating around my head for so long. And of course I'm thrilled to be working with Simon & Schuster again!”
Becca Fitzpatrick’s debut novel Hush, Hush was originally published in the fall of 2009, and it was an instant New York Times bestseller. It debuted on the bestseller list its first week on sale, and its publication was at the forefront of a new popular trend in “fallen angel” young adult novels. The subsequent books in the Hush, Hush Saga series, Crescendo and Silence, were USA Today as well as New York Times bestsellers. The conclusion of the saga, Finale, will be published worldwide on October 23, 2012.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers’ Vice President, Publisher Justin Chanda negotiated the deal with Catherine Drayton of Inkwell Management for North American, Canadian, Philippines and Open Market rights. Black Ice is scheduled for publication in Fall 2014.
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Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, one of the leading children’s book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Libros para niños, Little Simon®, Little Simon Inspirations™, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, and Simon Spotlight®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy™, Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Nickelodeon’s® Dora the Explorer®, Blue’s Clues® and SpongeBob SquarePants®, and Mirage studios’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, visit our website at http://kids.simonandschuster.
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