It is with great sadness that we share the news that Alex Francis, author of Spidercat, has died suddenly at the age of 48.
Alex was a quiet and thoughtful presence, someone who cared deeply about stories, creativity, and the small, everyday joys of life. He loved cooking, loved imagining new worlds, and brought gentle yet wry thoughtfulness to the ideas he shared with us. While he was a private person, his passion and enthusiasm were always felt in his work.
Alex was incredibly proud of Spidercat and deeply excited to see it come to life. The book meant a great deal to him, particularly the knowledge that it would exist as part of a growing world of LGBTQ+ children’s literature. He believed strongly in the importance of young readers seeing themselves reflected in stories, and Spidercat was his way of contributing something joyful, affirming, and kind.
We are heartbroken that we won’t get to continue working with Alex on the many other wonderful story ideas he had. His imagination was rich, playful, and full of possibility, and we feel the loss of what might have been alongside the grief of losing him as a person.
In honour of Alex and the values he cared about, all future royalties from Spidercat will be donated to Gendered Intelligence, a charity he spoke fondly of and believed in deeply. We hope that the book continues to find new readers, bringing comfort, delight, and recognition to children and families for years to come.
Alex lived in Southampton and will be missed by family and friends alike. We are grateful to have known him, and proud to have published his work.
Our thoughts are with all those who knew and loved him.
