Christopher William Hill to publish children's books
13th July 2010
Award-winning playwright Christopher William Hill is to publish a series of children's novels through Orchard Books.
Hill's Schwartzgarten Tales, which will feature four stories as part of a five-figure deal, are said to be reminiscent of celebrated children's authors such as Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
Osbert Brinkhoff, the first title in the series, is the playwright's debut novel. However, he established his literary credentials by receiving the Peter Tinniswood Award and during his time as a writer-in-residence at Plymouth Theatre Royal.
Catherine Coe, senior commissioning editor for Orchard Books, commented: 'Hill is a truly unique and original talent. He has the most marvellous and compelling ideas, which he executes on the page with a lightness of touch that one rarely sees.'
She said that she was first attracted to the Schwartzgarten Tales because of their gruesome and sinister narratives, which are laden with dark humour.
Orchard Books is home to a number of the UK's children's authors, including Anthony Horowitz, Michael Lawrence, Lauren Child and Giles Andreae.