The evening celebrated the upcoming publication of Emily Knight I Am... Power (Hashtag Press, officially released today - on 28th April 2025), the fourth and final instalment in the upper middle grade Emily Knight series — a journey that began when Abiola was just 12 years old — as well as the release of Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion, the first title in a new adventure series for younger readers published by Simon & Schuster UK in March 2025.
Guests were treated to a lively Q&A, themed cocktails, cake, jollof rice, and decor inspired by the dual worlds of Emily Knight and Wild Magic — including striking jungle and fire motifs that brought the books to life.
Abiola Bello said: “It was a lot of fun to do a double book launch for my ninth and tenth books last night, supported by so many people. The event marked the start of one series – Wild Magic – and the end of another – Emily Knight, which I first started when I was 12. Emily has been in my life for a long time and I can’t wait for people to read this final adventure.”
Carla Hutchinson, Abiola’s editor at Simon & Schuster (Wild Magic) said: “I am so proud of the work you’ve put into creating the Wild Magic series featuring two young Black children and a present, intelligent father., set in countries not often explored in books for younger readers. I know a lot of children are already loving Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion based in Ethiopia and looking forward to the next adventure in India.”
The launch event marked a full-circle moment for Abiola, whose Emily Knight series – published by Hashtag Press, the indie publishing house she co-founded back in 2016 – has inspired a generation of readers with its empowering themes of strong black girls, identity, courage and resilience. With Wild Magic, Abiola now invites readers to step into a thrilling new wildlife adventure series for children aged six-plus.
Emily Knight I Am… Power is officially on sale from 28th April 2025 online and in all good bookshops.
Wild Magic: Legend of the Black Lion is out now! A further two books in the series are due.