HarperCollins To Publish Children's Fantasy Series by Clive Barker

Posted on April 26, 2000

HarperCollins Publishers has announced that it has acquired world publishing rights to a new Clive Barker property, The Abarat Quartet, an epic children's fantasy in four parts that will feature original full-color paintings by the author. The first of the four books will debut on the Fall 2001 list of Joanna Cotler Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Children's Books, with the next three books following every year.

``We are thrilled to announce this exciting project with one of our most successful and respected house authors,'' said Jane Friedman, President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers. ``HarperCollins has published Clive for more than 10 years, starting first in the UK. I am continually amazed by his vision and creativity, which he is once again sharing with a young audience. There is clearly quite a buzz about this project we are certain that there will be a tremendous response from readers of all ages.''

``Since I first read C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, I've wanted to create a fantasy world of my own, filled with characters and creatures who originated in my waking dreams. A world I could describe in both oil paint and in words, which would be the setting for a series of epic adventures. Abarat is that world. My Oz, my Narnia, my Never-land,'' said Clive Barker. ``I believe we -that is, HarperCollins and myself - will be making books resembling nothing that has ever been produced before.''

``I have always felt that Clive has a unique vision. The Abarat Quartet will be one of his greatest achievements. It is brilliant, vivid and inspired: pure magic,'' said Joanna Cotler. An $8 million deal with the Walt Disney Company for film and ancillary rights for The Abarat Quartet was announced last week.

Clive Barker is the bestselling author of Books of Blood, The Great and Secret Show, Imajica, Galilee, Everville and The Hellbound Heart. His first children's book, The Thief of Always, sold over 1 million copies in the U.S. alone. He is also a film director and a producer of, most recently, the Oscar-winning Gods & Monsters.