Author Aaron Blabey Signed Major Book Series Deal
The creator inked an eight-figure global agreement with Macmillan for two new middle-grade series.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Pets — General
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Author Aaron Blabey returned from a writing hiatus to sign an eight-figure deal with Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. The agreement includes two new middle-grade series, starting with The Boy Who Knew Too Much in 2026.
Why it matters
The deal marks a significant comeback for the author, who previously announced his retirement from writing books in 2023. His agent successfully persuaded him to return to the craft to pursue the new Game of Pets concept.
The inaugural printing for the first book in the series totals 500,000 copies. The contract covers two separate series, with six books planned specifically for the Game of Pets franchise.
The players
Aaron Blabey
He is an author who previously wrote 40 books over the span of a decade.
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
It is a major publishing house that will release the new series under its Odd Dot imprint.
Foundation Media
This agency represents creative talent and negotiated the eight-figure publishing deal.
Jen Besser
She is a publisher at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group who will serve as the series editor.
The details
The books will be released under the Odd Dot imprint, with editorial oversight provided by Jen Besser of Macmillan. Foundation Media successfully negotiated the deal at auction, and the company is also partnering with Macmillan to develop the property into a film franchise.
Timeline
Aaron Blabey announced his retirement from writing books in 2023.
Macmillan and Foundation Media established their partnership in 2025.
The first book in the series will be released on September 29, 2026.
The second book in the Game of Pets series is scheduled for June 2027.
Culture Shift
This deal reflects the growing industry trend of developing children's book series alongside film franchise potential. By securing a multimedia strategy before publication, the creators capitalize on the demand for established intellectual property in the entertainment sector.
Readers can anticipate the arrival of the new series in bookstores across the U.S., UK, and Australia in late 2026. The shift suggests a high availability of the title at launch due to the massive initial printing volume.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates how effectively authors can leverage existing concepts to generate massive market interest and multi-platform potential. Readers interested in the series should keep an eye on the 2026 release date for the first installment.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Pets — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PublishersWeekly.
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