Marie Marshall‘s stunning second novel, The Everywhen Angels, is now available worldwide in print and in Kindle format from Amazon, and direct from the publisher in eBook form. P’kaboo Publishers, for whom this agency is the UK ‘face’ is an indie publisher from South Africa. Though they might not have the clout, nor the advertising budget, of larger companies, they are in no way a ‘vanity publisher’. They offered Marie a commercial contract for her first two novels, Lupa, and The Everywhen Angels, and commissioned her to write a teen-vampire novel (From My Cold, Undead Hand – possibly to be published later in 2014). However, as a small publisher, P’kaboo acknowledges that it is in many ways a ‘first step’ for authors, and that if they can have their books taken up by one of the larger publishing houses then they should do so. P’kaboo’s blessing to them and recommendation to the other publisher can be taken for granted.
So, this agency’s next task is not only to promote the novel to readers, but also to UK publishers – starting here and now. If you’re reading this and are from a publishing house in the UK, the USA, or anywhere in the English-reading world, you have your next YA best seller right here!
The novel was written in response to a lively discussion Marie Marshall had with friends about the merits of a series of books by a fellow Scot, set in a school for wizards. Responding to a challenge, she wrote an intriguing story, full of twists and turns, setting it in a Comprehensive school somewhere on the outskirts of London, in which groups of teenagers appear to find themselves coming together to skirmish on what might turn out to be the battlefield of Armageddon. But does this really have anything to do with the ‘End Times’? They struggle with teenage problems – relationships, bullying, parents, and each other – whilst trying to make sense of a world in which sense becomes harder to grasp. The plot twists, turns, runs backwards, contradicts itself, asks very deep philosophical questions, but still turns out to be enthralling and enjoyable. The author takes risks with it, but she says: “I believe children can handle difficult philosophical questions. They can handle stories told in a strange way. Young readers are much more intelligent than adults give them credit for.”
Publishers – get in touch, don’t let this opportunity slip by. Here are some comments about the novel.
Nikki Mason at BestChickLit.com says:
“… Three extraordinary kids. Three astounding stories. What will you believe? Angela is just an ordinary teenager until the day she falls through a fence at school into the alternative reality of the Guardian Angels, a group of twelve teens who are tasked with protecting people in the build up of the final war between good and evil. But no one will answer Angela’s question: why? Charlie knows he is special. Of course he’s a Guardian Angel. But he is also a Yellow – the GA’s rivals who try to prevent all their good work. But why is everyone suddenly ignoring him? Ashe is diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and yet he can open doors between worlds and time. He understands what it really means to be a Guardian Angel but can he cope with the knowledge alone?
Marie Marshall tackles big subjects in The Everywhen Angels from religion and science to war and politics. All this rages on in the foreground of the lives of three teenagers who are trying to find their place in their world and be comfortable in their own skin. Action packed, full of crazy tangents, incredible ideas and stunning description, the novel is completely different to anything I have read before. It can at times be confusing, but bear with the story – the mind-boggling themes and plot diversions will be explained and will feed the curious minds of young adults…”
Other readers comment:
“… the book is something special. The characterisation is convincing. The narrative is entertaining and gripping, but at the same time shows a wealth of knowledge and research and introduces challenging food for thought on abstract matters…”
“… The Everywhen Angels by Marie Marshall is told through the eyes of three different teenagers in a school somewhere in England, as they take on the function of angels. They discover along with a small band of others that they have supernatural abilities which they are obliged to keep secret, however. How they put these abilities to use, for good or bad, that is the matter of the story. This book challenges its reader to face deep, existential questions; about life, the nature of the universe, the ‘ending times’ and what they mean (from several different perspectives); what is good and what is bad, or is there, and if so, by which right or logic do we interfere in what happens to others. The story left me feeling somewhat rattled and as though my cupboard of philosophies has received a good airing and spring-cleaning, and I now need to put things back and decide what to keep. It is an excellent book; one of those ‘clingy’ ones that stays with you for days after because you have to think about it…”
We recently received the sad new that our client Hector P Cortes died in hospital on 23rd September. Hector’s family and friends have our sincere sympathy. On a practical note, we will continue to offer Hector’s novel ‘Miura’ to publishers on behalf of his estate. Almost the last thing Hector did before his final illness incapacitated him, was to answer some interview questions for us. We’re very grateful to Hector’s daughter Daniella Robles for her help and for permission to publish the interview, which we do now as a tribute to Hector.
Publishers who say “We do not deal with agents”.
So please don’t expect miracles from us if we take on your work as a project, and don’t assume that if we report back to you that we’ve met with no success that means we haven’t been doing our job. Nothing could be further from the truth. Above all, be very proud of the fact that you have produced a book – a work of art, if you like.
Bookseeker Literary Agency 