Rights

• Eleanor Teasdale and Gemma Creffield at Angry Robot acquired World English Language rights to MOTHS by debut novelist Jane Hennigan in a two-book deal. This will be a superlead title for them in the UK and the US. For readers of The Power, and Vox this high-concept thriller follows Mary as she contemplates her life before men were driven mad by a toxin and society was upended. Now, 40 years later, when men no longer rule, she must decide how far she is willing to go to bring a possible cure to light. Furthermore, French rights have sold to J’ai Lu. Rights: WEL (Angry Robot – Gemma Creffield), J’ai Lu (France), and WF Howes (audio). Pub date: 14th March 2023.

• Publisher Eleanor Teasdale at Angry Robot has acquired WEL and audio rights to THE JUDAS BLOSSOM, the first in a Persian inspired fantasy trilogy. The first book is an  imaginative and sprawling reimagining of the Mongol Empire’s invasion of Persia and  follows the lives of four characters at the centre of the war. It will be published on 11th July 2023, and a sharable manuscript will be available in the new year. Rights: Angry Robot (WEL – Eleanor Teasdale). Pub date: 11th July 2023.

• After a passionate 4-way auction, Jess Leeke at Michael Joseph has acquired UK & Comm (ex Canada) rights in MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES: THE HAPLESS MILLINER, and a second novel, in a six-figure deal. Furthermore, North American rights have also been snapped up by Claire Wachtel at Union Square in a six figure pre-empt! Lastly, Italian rights have been pre-empted by Piemme. MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATES follows a young Jane Austen who sets out to clear her brother’s name after a milliner is found murdered during the local ball. Rights: Michael Joseph (UK- Jess Leeke), Union Square (US), offer (Brazil), Znanje (Croatia), J’ai Lu (France), Droemer (Germany), Piemme (Italy), Luitingh Sijthoff (Netherlands), offer (Portugal), Alfaguara (Spain), and offer (Sweden). Pub date: Spring 2024.

• TALONSISTER, a new epic fantasy duology by award-winning fantasy author Jen Williams (The Copper Cat trilogy and The Winnowing Flame trilogy), has sold at auction to Davi Lancett at Titan (UK & Comm ex Canada) and Ellis Moore at Bolinda (UK audio), for publication Autumn 2023. A full unedited manuscript is available. A living weapon journeys into a forbidden land. How much trouble can she get into? The answer, it turns out, is quite a lot. Ginger Clark is handling North American rights. Rights: Titan (UK – Davi Lancett), and Bolinda (audio). Pub date: Autumn 2023.

• Ellen Conlon at Icon Books has bought UK & Comm (ex Canada) rights to MATERIAL WITNESS: CHARLOTTE BRONTË’S LIFE THROUGH CLOTHING by dress and cultural historian Dr Eleanor Houghton. Eleanor rummages through Charlotte Brontë’s closet, examining her clothing as witnesses to her life and revealing never before known secrets that bring the famous author to life. Audio rights have also sold to Georgia Holmes at WF Howes. Rights: Icon (UK – Ellen Conlon), and WF Howes (audio). Pub date: Spring 2024.

• Loan Le at Atria (S&S) has pre-empted North American rights to SPITTING GOLD by Carmella Lowkis in a healthy six-figure, two book deal. They will publish alongside the UK in May 2024. Historical fiction, set in 19th-century Paris, SPITTING GOLD follows two estranged sisters, Sylvie and Charlotte. Once upon a time, the sisters were celebrated mediums – fraudsters who collected coins in return for ‘exorcising’ ghosts. But when the sisters reunite for one last con, things go horribly wrong, and the novel opens with one of them on trial for murder. Rights: Doubleday (UK – Charlotte Trumble), and Atria (US). Pub date: May 2024.

• UK/Commonwealth rights to REMEMBER, REMEMBER by Elle Machray have sold to Daisy Watt at Harper North in a pre-empt after submission of a partial manuscript. With shades of The Underground Railroad and The Confessions of Frannie Langton, REMEMBER, REMEMBER is a page-turning alternative history debut set in Georgian London, reimagining the gunpowder plot. In 1765, enslaved Delphine escaped her master. The only thing she's missing is her beloved brother, Vincent. When Vincent is threatened with transportation, Delphine risks her freedom to save him, resolving to strike at the heart of the British Empire. The full manuscript will be available in autumn/winter 2022 and Liza will submit it then. Rights: HarperNorth (UK - Daisy Watt). Pub Date: Spring 2024.

• Amy Perkins at Fleet has pre-empted UK & Comm (ex Canada) rights to chef Sally Abe’s memoir, A WOMAN’S PLACE IS IN THE KITCHEN, in a robust deal. It will be Fleet’s lead title in June 2024 and they see it having massive commercial appeal. A WOMAN’S PLACE IS IN THE KITCHEN follows Sally’s journey from Sheffield to the best kitchens in the UK where she has worked for The Savoy, Gordon Ramsay, Claire Smyth, and The Ledbury to name a few. This is simultaneously Sally’s love letter to the hospitality industry she has worked in for over 15 years, as well as a call to arms to show that women can tackle this male-dominated industry, and that they should. It is time to show everyone that a woman’s place is in the kitchen - a fine dining, Michelin starred kitchen. Rights: Fleet (UK – Amy Perkins). Pub date: June 2024.

• After turning down two pre-empt attempts, UNDERWATER by Fiona McPhillips was successfully pre-empted by Imogen Nelson at Transworld in a healthy six-figure deal. Twelve hours later, US rights to UNDERWATER were successfully pre-empted by Christine Kopprasch at Flatiron for a significant six-figure sum. This reading group thriller, for fans of Girl A, My Dark Vanessa and Megan Abbott, follows Louise Manson – the new girl at an exclusive private school in 80s Dublin. The novel intersperses Lou’s experience as a teenager in 1987, when she uncovers a terrible secret at the heart of Highfield Manor, and her life as an adult in 2018, when an allegation of abuse at her old school forces her to reckon with her past. Rights: Transworld (UK – Imogen Nelson), Flatiron (US). Pub date: TBD 2024. 

• James Long at Orbit has obtained UK & Comm ex Canada rights to THE GODS BELOW, the new epic fantasy series by Andrea Stewart. Furthermore, American rights were acquired by Brit Hvide at Orbit US. The first in the series is currently untitled, but will be published in 2024, and sharable material will be available around this time next year. The series is set in a world ravaged by ancient magic, where precious gemstones bestow magical abilities on the few individuals able to harness their power. Full of clandestine power struggles and the battles between gods, the story follows Hakara, a young woman searching for her missing sister and who will do anything to find her – even lead a rebellion against the gods themselves. Rights: Orbit (UK – James Long), and Orbit (US). Pub date: TBD 2024.

• SALT BLOOD by Francesa Haig (writing as Francesca De Tores), was pre-empted by Emma Herman at Bloomsbury in a two-book, significant six-figure deal. SALT BLOOD follows Mary Read – sometimes living as Mark Read – the infamous pirate who terrorised the seas in the Golden Age of Piracy. Raised as a boy in order to collect inheritance money, they continued to live as a man during a stint in the navy, before returning to sea as a woman and eventually becoming a feared pirate alongside Anne Bonny. Rights: Bloomsbury (UK – Emma Herdman). Pub date: Spring 2024.

• THE INNER CIRCLE by Anna Mazzola has been pre-empted by Leodora Darlington at Orion. This legal thriller, for fans of ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL and Harriet Tyce, follows two women – one in politics, one a lawyer – who uncover a trafficking scandal at the heart of the UK government. Rights: Orion (UK – Leodora Darlington). Pub date: TBD 2024.

• Taiwanese rights to BREATHLESS by Amy McCulloch have sold to Sino Books, bringing total rights sold to 16 territories! Michael Joseph (UK), Knopf/Penguin (US/Canada), Znanje (Croatia), Euromedia (Czech), Lafon (France), Piper (Germany), Newton Compton (Italy), Bookland (Macedonia), House of Books (Netherlands), Gursli Berg (Norway), Marginesy (Poland), Eksmo (Russia), Vulkan (Serbia), Slovensky (Slovakia), Modernista (Sweden), and Sino (Taiwan). Pub date: 17 February 2022.

• Bulgarian rights to THE CLOCKWORK GIRL by Anna Mazzola have sold to KRYG. Rights: Orion (UK), KRYG (Bulgaria), Bourdon (Czech), Humanitas (Romania), and Atticus (Russia). Pub date: 3rd March 2022.

• North American rights for THE MOON REPRESENTS MY HEART by Pim Wangtechawat have sold to Vikki Warner at Blackstone following the wonderful news about the option with Netflix. They will publish in hardback and audio simultaneously this Autumn 2023, shortly after the UK edition. Furthermore, Indonesian and Thai rights have sold to Gramedia and Amarin respectively. Rights: Oneworld (UK – Juliet Mabey), Blackstone (US – Vikki Warner), Gramedia (Indonesia), Keller Editore (Italy), Everbook (Russia), Amarin (Thailand), and 21 Laps/Netflix (TV). Pub date: 1 June 2023.

• THE WOLF DEN and THE HOUSE WITH THE GOLDEN DOOR by Elodie Harper has sold in Germany to Piper. Italian rights to THE HOUSE WITH THE GOLDEN DOOR have been taken up by her option publisher, Fazi. Rights for HOUSE: Head of Zeus (UK), Sterling Publishing (US), Bazar (Finland), Calmann Levy (France), Piper (Germany), House of Books (Netherlands), Fazi (Italy), Mann, Ivanov and Ferber (Russia), and Ikar (Slovakia). Options: Dar Molhimon (Arabic), Ciela Norma (Bulgaria), Vorto (Croatia), Leda (Czech), Kaktos (Greece), Bertrand (Portugal), Trei (Romania), HKZ (Slovenia), Planeta MX (Spain), Ithaki (Turkey).

• Lia Louis’ fourth heart-warming novel, THE KEY TO MY HEART has sold in Israel to Aryeh Nir. Rights: Trapeze (UK), Emily Bestler Books (US), and Penguin (Germany). Options: Paralela (Brazil), Albatros (Czech), Rahva Raamat (Estonia), Publish and More (Hungary), Mondadori (Italy), HarperCollins (Netherlands), Bastion (Norway), Burda Media (Poland), Grup Media (Romania), AST (Russia), Avrora (Slovenia), Planeta Mexicana (Spain), Forum (Sweden), and Epsilon (Turkey).

• THE FINAL STRIFE trilogy by Saara El-Arifi which debuted at #4 on the Sunday Times Bestseller list has been sold in France to De Saxus. Rights: HarperVoyager (UK), Del Rey (US), De Saxus (France), and Oscar Vault Mondadori (Italy).

• Laura Purcell’s new YA novel SILVER & MOONSTONE has sold to Urano in Spain. SILVER & MOONSTONE is a claustrophobic, haunting tale told under the full moon – with themes of female survival and divergence. Rights: Magpie/HarperCollins (UK – Vicky Leech), and Urano (Spain). Pub date: Autumn 2023.

• VITA AND THE BIRDS is the third adult reading group novel by Polly Crosby and it has been bought in a two-book deal by Cicely Aspinall at HQ. She acquired UK and Comm (ex Canada) rights and will publish May 2023. VITA AND THE BIRDS is a breath-taking story which follows Eve, a young woman revisiting the coastal Suffolk town of her childhood summers, and Vita, a woman whose status and controlling brother force her to keep her new friendship with local artist Dodie a secret. Rights: HQ (UK – Cicely Aspinall).

• Jessie Burton’s THE HOUSE OF FORTUNE has sold to option publisher Patakis in Greece. Meanwhile, German audio rights have also sold to SAGA/Lindhardt. All of Jessie’s rights can be found here.

• Claire Douglas’ THE COUPLE AT NO 9 has sold in Poland to Filia, Albania to Botiment Bot, Brasil to Trama, Croatia to Egmont, and Korea to Korean Studies Information. Furthermore, Vaga in Lithuania have taken up rights to THE GIRLS WHO DISAPPEARED, the new #1 Sunday Times Bestseller from Claire. Claire has a lot of rights so please see here for details.

• The 44th territory for THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman has sold in Kazakhstan to Foliant, and Polish rights have been taken over by Agora.

• We are also now at 23 territories for THE BULLET THAT MISSED now that it has sold to Egmont in Croatia, Rahva Raamat in Estonia, Crime Scene Press in Romania, Slovart in Slovakia, Agave in Hungary, Jieli in China, Planeta in Portugal, Mladinkska in Slovenia, and Drapa in Iceland. Rights can be found here.

• As seen in The Bookseller, Richard Osman is now contracted for THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB 5 & 6, as well as a new series we are referring to as UNTITLED NEW SERIES. Richard will begin a new series in 2024, and it features a father and daughter-in-law duo who run their own private investigation company which takes them around the world, solving mysteries that nobody else can.

News

• Abigail Dean and Laura Purcell won at the Capital Crime Awards in London this week. Abigail Dean won Debut Book of the Year with GIRL A, while Laura Purcell won Historical Crime Book of the Year with THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS. Votes came from the general public and we are delighted that so many fans love Abigail and Laura’s books!

• Elodie Harper has won the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award for THE WOLF DEN. Founded in 2017 by David Headley, the co-founder and m.d. of Goldsboro Books, the Glass Bell is awarded annually to a novel of any genre with "brilliant characterisation and a distinct voice that is confidently written and assuredly realised".

• Sophie Haydock and Elodie Harper have been longlisted for the Historical Writers’ Association Crown Awards 2022, with their novels THE WOLF DEN and THE FLAMES, respectively. The HWA Crown Awards select “36 books celebrating the best in historical writing, fiction and non-fiction, published in 2021-2022.” The shortlist will be announced on 25th October, with the winners announced at an awards ceremony on 23rd November.

• It has been a great month for bestsellers! Mushens Entertainment has retained the double #1 position in hardback and paperback on the Sunday Times list for the past two weeks. Claire Douglas has taken the #1 paperback spot on the Sunday Times Bestsellers list with her eighth novel, THE GIRLS WHO DISAPPEARED. She has retained that spot two weeks in a row and has sold over 30,000 paperback in that time. Richard Osman’s THE BULLET THAT MISSED immediately charted at #1 on the hardback list for The Sunday Times, and remains the overall #1 bestseller in the UK for two weeks running. It also charted at #3 on the New York Times Bestseller list. Overall hardback sales in the UK for the past two weeks at 190,000copies. Richard has also become the fastest selling adult fiction title ever from a British author since BookScan records began. It is also the most pre-ordered audiobook ever for Penguin Random House, outselling Barack Obama.

• Richard Osman’s THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE, has been shortlisted for the 2022 Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction. The award is the UK’s longest running prize for comic fiction and previous winners have included bestselling novelists Alexander McCall Smith, Helen Fielding, Howard Jacobson and Marina Lewycka.

• Louise O’Neill has been shortlisted twice for the Irish Book Awards in the categories of ‘Author of the Year’ and ‘Popular Fiction Book of the Year’ for her latest novel, IDOL. 

• Stacey Halls has won the most public votes for the Women’s Prize and Good Housekeeping Futures programme, following a year-long campaign by the partnership. Coinciding with Good Housekeeping’s 100th anniversary celebration, Futures was launched in January 2022 to highlight the talent of the next generation of female writers, to bring them to a wider audience and to support their careers. It was open to female writers aged 35 and under, living in the UK or Republic of Ireland, who had published at least one novel.

• Buki Papillon’s debut novel AN ORDINARY WONDER has been chosen as a finalist for the Maya Angelou Book Award. Named for acclaimed, Missouri-born memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, the prize celebrates contemporary writers whose work demonstrates their commitment to social justice. It alternates annually between poetry and fiction, going this year to the author of a work of fiction.

• THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB series has now sold over 5,000,000 copies in the UK, and 1,500,000 copies internationally, bringing global sales to 6,500,000. As you can imagine, we are incredibly proud of Richard and all he has accomplished! He continues to dominate the hardback and paperback Sunday Times Bestsellers lists. Editors and readers around the world are now looking forward to his second untitled series which will be published in 2024, with material available at the beginning of that year.

Recent Publications:

• 6th September: THE HOUSE WITH THE GOLDEN DOOR by Elodie Harper, picks up on the events following the thrilling conclusion in THE WOLF DEN. As Amara moves from brothel to being a courtesan, she is determined to have revenge on those who wronged her. But how far is she willing to go? This is out in hardback from Union Square in the US. 

• 15th/20th September: THE BULLET THAT MISSED by Richard Osman is the third thrilling adventure in the bestselling, multi-million copy series of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB. It is out in hardback from Viking in the UK, and Pamela Dorman books in the US respectively.

• 15th September: Claire Douglas’ THE GIRLS WHO DISAPPEARED is the latest from the Sunday Times Bestselling author. It follows Olivia twenty years after a car accident led to the disappearance of her friends, when a journalist comes to town and starts asking questions. It is out in paperback from Michael Joseph UK. 

• 29th September: Laura Purcell joins seven other bestselling authors in a dazzling new collection of original haunted tales, titled THE HAUNTING SEASON. It is out in paperback from Sphere in the UK. 

• 29th September: FRIENDS DON’T LIE is a standalone from Nell Pattison that follows a woman who keeps getting someone else’s emails and learns a dark, twisty secret. It is out in paperback from Avon in the UK.

• 27th October: Rob Temple’s VERY BRITISH PROBLEMS QUIZ BOOK is an enjoyable time for everyone at home! It is out from Sphere in hardback.

• 27th October: BREATHLESS by Amy McCulloch follows a struggling journalist who is invited on an expedition to climb one of the world’s tallest mountains. But as the team climbs, things go wrong and it quickly becomes clear a murderer is amongst them. It is out in paperback in the UK from Michael Joseph.

• 1st November: Sussie Anie’s debut, TO FILL A YELLOW HOUSE is a story of community, friendship and the power of creativity and connection. It is out in hardback from Mariner Books in the US.

• 1st November: MEREDITH, ALONE, the new novel from Claire Alexander, is a hopeful and uplifting debut you’ll never forget. It has published in hardback from Grand Central in the US.

• 10th November: NOBODY BUT US is a chilling and unputdownable revenge thriller from debut author, Laure Van Rensburg. It is published in paperback by Michael Joseph.

• 24th November: Vanessa Savage’s THE NIGHT THEY VANISHED is her third crime thriller book. Suspenseful and addictive, the book follows an estranged family with a long-kept secret. This month it will be published by Sphere in paperback.