Jessica Townsend released her first novel Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow in October, to acclaim from readers, reviewers and fellow writers.

The first in a children's series, the book follows the story of Morrigan Crow, who's doomed to die on her 11th birthday but is rescued by the mysterious Jupiter North and taken to the magical city of Nevermoor. Australian born Townsend, who used to be a copywriter and has been compared to JK Rowling, sold her book in a six figure eight-way auction before signing a preemptive deal with Fox for the film rights.