John August has signed a three-book deal with the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group imprint, Roaring Brook Press. He has become well-known as a Hollywood screenwriter who has worked on several high-profile movie projects such as Big Fish (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), and The Corpse Bride (2005).
Jodi Reamer, a literary agent at Writers House, negotiated the deal. August (pictured, via) plans to write books for a middle grade series. The first installment, entitled Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire, will be released in early 2018.
According to the press release, the story follows “Arlo Finch, a young boy who joins a mountain scouting troop and discovers that his fellow campers are not just training in outdoor survival—they are also learning to harness the wild magic that lies deep within the forest. Through treacherous adventures and close calls, Arlo is awakened to his unique destiny and the foundations of the Rangers’ Vow: loyalty, bravery, kindness, and truth.” (via John August’s Blog)