New YA Imprint KCP Loft Unveils Colophon, Announces Acquisitions

Publishing Rights Optioned for Jennifer Beals / Tom Jacobson Project

Four New Novels Acquired

TORONTO, Oct. 17, 2016 /CNW/ - With the recent launch of KCP Loft, a new Young Adult imprint from award-winning children's publisher Kids Can Press, the publisher today revealed the imprint's colophon, as well as new publishing rights deals, including four exciting new titles.                          

The colophon is a circular staircase motif "inspired by the imprint's name and the notion of climbing up to a secret hideaway; a reading nook; a quiet, creative space," explained Lisa Lyons Johnston, President of Kids Can Press. "The staircase also suggests the upward passage into adulthood," added KCP Loft Editorial Director, Kate Egan.

Kids Can Press also announced today that KCP Loft has optioned the publishing rights to a project from Jennifer Beals and Tom Jacobson. The Hive, a gripping thriller and a fascinating piece of social speculative fiction, is a publishing concept by Beals—an American/Canadian actor currently starring in NBC's Taken and best known for her roles in Flashdance (1983) and The Book of Eli (2010)—and blockbuster-film producer and studio executive Jacobson (Flashdance, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Speed). Agent Eddie Gamarra of The Gotham Group brokered the deal for world rights, all languages.

"We were thrilled by this unique and action-packed concept from a dynamic and award-winning duo," said Lyons Johnston.  "We are now working with Jennifer and Tom to identify the ideal author to adapt The Hive into a novel."

In addition to KCP Loft's debut list of four fiction titles available this Spring: Zenn Diagram, Keeping the Beat, Just a Normal Tuesday and Textovert, the next great reads include the following acquisitions:

• Kiss Me in New York by Catherine Rider (Fall 2017)
  Before Sunrise meets An Affair to Remember in this teen romance brokered by Alexandra Devlin of the Rights People on behalf of UK-based Working Partners. The two-book deal includes a sequel, Kiss Me In Paris, slated for Fall 2018. Catherine Rider is the pen name of Working Partners writers Stephanie Elliott and James Noble, who live in Brooklyn and London respectively.
  
• The Lost Causes by Jessica Koosed Etting and Alyssa Embree Schwartz (Fall 2017)
  X-Men meets The Breakfast Club in this edge-of-your-seat thriller. Holly Root of Waxman Leavell Literary Agency brokered the deal. Screenwriting duo Koosed Etting and Embree Schwartz live in Washington, DC and California, respectively.
  
• Rebel With a Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring (Spring 2018)
  A contemporary teen comedy about a girl under societal pressure to be nothing short of perfect. Margot Edwards represented the author on behalf of Anne Clark Literary Agency. Mainwaring lives near Manchester, UK.

"It has been a joy to see our first four KCP Loft books through to publication, and I'm continually delighted by the quality and quantity of submissions coming our way," said Egan. "Our sophomore list will deliver additional compelling, addictive reads."

Watch for reviews and feature stories about the KCP Loft Spring 2017 titles in the coming months.

About Kate Egan
Kate Egan has worked in children's publishing for 20 years and has edited many award-winning authors, including Suzanne Collins. She is also the author of the picture book Kate and Nate Are Running Late! (illustrated by Dan Yaccarino) and the chapter book series The Magic Shop (written with magician Mike Lane), all published by Feiwel and Friends. Kate lives with her family in a small college town, where she is also the president of her local public library. 

About KCP Loft
KCP Loft is a new Young Adult imprint from award-winning Canadian-owned children's publisher Kids Can Press, part of the Corus Entertainment family. KCP Loft publishes books that are engrossing, shareable, contemporary and smart for readers 14 and older. KCP Loft is distributed worldwide by Hachette Book Group. Browse Kids Can Press books at www.kidscanpress.com and KCP Loft books at www.kcploft.com.

About Corus Entertainment Inc. 
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 45 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children's book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus' roster of premium brands include Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.

Social Media Links:
Twitter: @KCPLoft
Instagram: @KCPLoft
Facebook: KCP Loft

SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.

Image with caption: "KCP Loft's new colophon. (CNW Group/Corus Entertainment Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161017_C2123_PHOTO_EN_797249.jpg

Michaela Cornell, Communications Strategist, [email protected], 416-479-6766