PUBLISHERS have swooped on the paperback rights to an impressive debut novel. Blue Sky July by Prestatyn-born Nia Wyn will be re-issued with a new cover design, under the Michael Joseph imprint on February 7 in the UK, and released in the summer of 2008 in America. As was recently reported in the Visitor, Blue Sky July is currently at the top of the best-selling literature titles in Wales, and now Penguin UK and Penguin US are chasing Nia’s signature. "Seren did a wonderful job in discovering this book, and now we are keen at Penguin to bring it to an even wider audience and give it the legs it deserves," said Louise Moore, spokeswoman to Michael Joseph. "The response to the book after it was selected for BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week and BBC Radio 5 Live Book of the Month has been tremendous and Penguin are thrilled to be a part of this beautifully written story." Blue Sky July achieved the remarkable distinction of being serialised in two national newspapers and a magazine – The Guardian, The Daily Mail, and Good Housekeeping, and has sold over 10,000 copies. It has also gained an international reputation, with features on the BBC World Service and a serialisation in The Daily Nation – the national newspaper for Kenya. Nia is also receiving requests from other countries to talk about the book on radio, and there was plenty of interest in translation rights at the Frankfurt Bookfair with negotiations now underway with foreign publishers. "The response to this book has been absolutely stunning," said Penny Thomas, editor at publishers Seren. "It is appealing to a huge number of readers from all backgrounds. Many have spoken of being deeply moved by this heartrending but also uplifting story." Nia added: "It’s a very personal book and it was written at a particularly isolated time in my life, so I’m amazed that it’s connecting with people in the way that it is. I’d never attempted a book before, so it’s wonderful to see it being so well-received." | 
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