About the Author

Sarah Surgey Author
Sarah Surgey Author

I’m Sarah! Yorkshire-born, London-bred and Bath-based (having also detoured to France for a year).

I am an SCBWI children’s author who is based in the UK but published worldwide. My specialism is in the translation and adaptations of children’s books, shaped by group identity and cultural context. My degree is a BA Honours in English language & literature, specialising in children’s literature – so there is a lot of theory behind my creativity!

Currently, I have two children’s picture books that are out in the UK and the global market – The Heavy Bag and The Slow Superhero. Both these books have taken me down very different routes which have joined back up at the end, to give me a wonderfully eclectic author journey.

The Heavy Bag has been celebrated and shortlisted (between Matt Haig & Charlie Mackesy) as one of 2022 best children’s grief books, It is also used in primary schools across the UK and was presented on World Book Day 2022 by Giovanna Fletcher. The Heavy Bag was self-published by me, here in the UK, but has now been acquired by children’s publishing houses for Germany, Vietnam, Sweden, Denmark, France, Belgium, India & subcontinent, Turkey, Romania and the Arabic market. More translations have been commissioned, so watch this space!

The Heavy Bag, audiobook, is also used in an official collaboration with UNICEF and is currently raising funds for Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and its Ukraine appeal.

The Slow Superhero was published by UK-based publisher, Ventorros Press and has taken a more commercial route. I have had a LOT of fun this year promoting the book in schools, bookstore signings, author events, LIVE radio BBC interviews and appearing at the Bath Children’s Literature Festival.

The Slow Superhero has also been acquired in Europe and this brought European Children’s book festivals at the end of 2022!

2023 brings two confirmed new children’s books that have been commissioned by two wonderful children’s book publishers – BleuDot in France and Van Driel in Belgium. Both story books will also be available in English.

For all enquiries please contact my agent, Anne Paris-Gazarian