Little Island sign multi-book deals with Kel Menton and Jen Wallace

Little Island have signed multi-book deals with Kel Menton and Jen Wallace

Little Island Books have signed multi-book deals for the first time in the company’s history, agreeing three-book contracts with Cork-based Irish authors Kel Menton and Jen Wallace.

Menton, whose debut A Fix of Light was published by Little Island in February 2025 to rave reviews on both sides of the Altantic, has signed on for three more novels for young readers: a mix of YA and middle-grade titles with an emphasis on speculative fiction and magic realism. World rights in all languages were acquired by publisher Matthew Parkinson-Bennett from agent Laura Bennett at the Liverpool Literary Agency.

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Meanwhile Wallace, whose debut chapter-book Dinosaur Pie won the junior category at the 2025 Great Reads Awards, has plans to publish three more works of fiction with neurodiverse protagonists.

Illustrator Alan O’Rourke has also signed on to illustrate two sequels to Dinosaur Pie, while Wallace’s fourth publication will be a picturebook about an autistic girl’s relationship with her grandmother. World rights in all languages were acquired by publisher Matthew Parkinson-Bennett directly from the author.

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‘Little Island has always been about finding and nurturing the best Irish talent for young readers everywhere,’ said Parkinson-Bennett. ‘Jen and Kel are really exciting new writers and we’re delighted to be able to invest in their creativity in the coming years. As a Dubliner, I swear it’s a coincidence that they’re both from Cork!’

Kel Menton said they were equal parts humbled and excited to be working with Little Island on three more books, while Jen Wallace praised the team who ‘have been incredibly supportive and a pleasure to work with.’