The Australian bestselling children’s author Aaron Blabey has signed an eight-figure deal with the UK, US and Australian arms of Macmillan.
The publisher announced the deal on Wednesday, contracting the actor turned writer to produce seven new titles across two new series for the tween reading market.
Blabey, whose books have sold about 55m copies, is a New York Times-bestselling author. The Bendigo-born writer’s career took off more than a decade ago when he launched his Pig the Pug children’s series, a collection of picture books about a small bad-tempered dog.
The success of the books in the US was a harbinger to the success the animated television series Bluey is experiencing in the US market, and secured a three-book deal with Scholastic Australia.
The second picture book under the deal, Thelma the Unicorn, became a bestseller along with its sequel The Return of Thelma the Unicorn, selling millions of copies. It was adapted by Netflix to make a film.
Blabey’s graphic novel for primary school age children, The Bad Guys, also with a theme about animals with a bad reputation, became the New York Times No 1 bestselling graphic novel series and was also adapted for the big screen. A sequel is due in 2025.
Macmillan announced that the first of Blabey’s new series, titled Game of Pets, was a fantasy series expected to debut in 2026.
The second, titled The Awfuls, suggests a more psychological sci-fi theme for young readers.
“Aaron’s talents are myriad and extraordinary – and among his greatest gifts is his affection for what it means to be a young reader,” said Praveen Naidoo, Pan Macmillan Australia’s managing director.
In a media release, Blabey was quoted saying: “In June 2023, I completed the final Bad Guys book – my fortieth title in ten years – and genuinely felt it might be time to retire. I mean, that’s a lot of books!”
“However, the infectious enthusiasm of everyone at Macmillan for a pair of new ideas (that I had quietly tucked away) has made me think perhaps all I needed was a holiday and a shot of new positive energy. I am very excited to get back to work.”
