13th Horseman

The 13th Horseman is my first standalone book. Aimed at kids aged 11+, it will be published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in early 2012.

Here’s what HarperCollins had to say in their recent press release.

HARPERCOLLINS ACQUIRES TWO NEW BOOKS FROM THE AUTHOR THAT GIVES DARREN SHAN THE SHIVERS

London, 25th October 2010 –

HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired two new books from Barry Hutchison, author of the Invisible Fiends series and major voice on the HarperCollins list. The deal for World rights, including film, TV, audio and merchandising was concluded by Harriet Wilson, Editorial Director HarperCollins Children’s Books and Kathryn Ross of Fraser Ross Associates.

The first book, entitled The 13th Horseman, is scheduled for publication in February 2012 and is intended for readers aged 11+.

In a darkly funny, action-packed adventure, fourteen year old Drake is surprised to discover the Horsemen of the Apocalypse hanging out in his garden shed. He’s even more surprised when they ask him to join them. The team is missing a Horseman, having gone through several Deaths, and they think Drake is the boy for the job.

Barry’s most recent publication, Invisible Fiends: Raggy Maggie, was praised by bestselling author Darren Shan as “…a fast-paced fury of a novel, packed with genuine scares and thrills. It made me shiver more than once and I devoured it at lightning speed.”

Hailing from the Highlands of Scotland, Barry spends his time writing screenplays, comics and children’s books. He is in his early thirties – but on a good day could easily pass for mid-forties – and lives happily with his long-term partner and their two children. He is tall – but not like the BFG – and likes seafood, comics and Elvis, though not necessarily in that order.

Harriet Wilson commented on the deal, “The prologue to The Thirteenth Horseman sent a shiver of anticipation up my spine. Barry is a powerhouse of story ideas, positively crackling with creative energy and I’m delighted to be publishing this new strand of his writing alongside the brilliant Invisible Fiends series.”