We are thrilled to announce that Meg Cabot’s Kissing Cowboys has been acquired by Simon & Schuster. Publishing director Yasmin Morrissey pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights to two titles from Caroline Hardman on behalf of Laura Langlie Literary Agency.
Kissing Cowboys is Meg Cabot’s first YA novel in more than a decade. As the first book in the series, it will be published in paperback original on 4th December 2026. In the US, the novels will be published by HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Kissing Cowboys follows 16-year-old Winn Riley, a fashion-loving New York City girl. “But when her brother gets expelled, the only school that will accept him is a work-farm-slash-boarding school in Montana. Now Winn is a million miles from city life and surrounded by boys: boys herding cattle; boys riding horses; incredibly cute but annoyingly smart boys, like Zack and Teddy. How will she endure? She’s not sure… but at least she looks great in a pair of cowboy boots.”
Morrissey said: “As a long-time lover of Meg’s writing, I couldn’t be more excited to be welcoming her to S&S for her sensational return to YA. Meg’s writing bursts with rare warmth and misadventure.
“Her voice is – as ever – a masterclass in romance and comedy and Winn is the perfect protagonist to bring a new generation of YA readers to her writing. My rhinestones are at the ready for this launch – I just hope I look as good in a pair of cowboy boots as Winn!”
Cabot commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with Yasmin Morrissey at S&S UK to bring my first YA series in over a decade to a whole new generation of readers! I love Winn Riley, and can’t wait for readers to meet her. I’m so glad Yasmin and S&S UK will be the ones to introduce her in the UK!”
Hardman said: “Winn’s voice grabbed me from the first page – she is witty and impossible not to root for. It was clear from Yasmin’s immediate enthusiasm for Kissing Cowboys that she is the perfect editor, and I couldn’t be more excited to launch Meg’s new series with her and the team at S&S Children’s Books.”