Wagner to launch children’s book publisher Billy Goat Books

Author Michael Wagner is launching a new children’s book publisher Billy Goat Books.

The first Billy Goat title, Pig Dude, is written by Wagner and illustrated by Adam Nickel, and is scheduled for release in late August.

Wagner told Books+Publishing his plan is to publish books he has written or co-written with his wife, author and Penguin children’s publisher Jane Godwin, and to ‘gradually introduce the properties of other creators’. ‘I’m continuing to work with Penguin and Allen & Unwin on other titles, but my plan is to hive off some titles for Billy Goat Books,’ said Wagner.

Wagner, who has written the ‘Maxx Rumble’ (Black Dog Books), ‘The Ted’ (Puffin) and ‘The Undys’ (Puffin) series, among other titles, plans to begin publishing one or two books each year, and build up to five to seven books.

‘What I’ve found lately is that there are certain books I feel a strong urge to control,’ said Wagner of his decision to launch the press. ‘Maybe it’s because these stories are a little risky, or because they need a particular aesthetic/energy, or perhaps they feel like they’d benefit from a hand-crafted approach. Or maybe, they’re just stories I really want to have my own fun with.’

Wagner adds: ‘I don’t intend ever being a major publisher or going into competition with them, more just a boutique kind of operation—largely specialising in books for boys.’

Wagner will launch a Billy Goat Books website later in the year. More information about his books are available on his website here.

Category: Junior Local news