Ania Poranek's WHERE THE DARK STANDS STILL sold to Penguin UK in six-figure deal
We are delighted to announce that Penguin UK has acquired Ania Poranek’s debut, Where the Dark Stands Still in a six-figure deal. Carmen McCullough, Editorial Director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Catherine Cho at Paper Literary, on behalf of Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman. The deal was struck in collaboration with Karen Wojtyla, VP and Editorial Director at Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, who bought North American rights. Both editions will publish simultaneously in Spring 2024.
Where the Dark Stands Still is a beautifully written and evocative reimagining of Beauty and the Beast which weaves dark fantasy and gothic romance infused with polish folklore. This epic romantic story is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace’s Belladonna, The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden and Gallant by V.E Schwab.
Raised in a small village near the spirit-wood, Liska Radost knows that Magic is monstrous, and its practitioners, monsters. After Liska unleashes her own powers with devastating consequences, she is caught by the demon warden of the wood – the Leszy – who offers her a bargain: one year of servitude in exchange for a wish.
Whisked away to his crumbling manor, Liska soon discovers the sinister roots of their bargain. And if she wants to survive the year and return home, she must unravel her host’s spool of secrets and face the ghosts of his past.
Those who enter the wood do not always return . . .
Ania Poranek says: “I am so excited to be able to share this story with the world and to work with Carmen McCullough, Karen Wojtyla and the teams at Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster. As a Polish girl who grew up in Canada, the stories of Polish folklore were something I knew from childhood memories of my grandparents’ bedtime stories. Writing this book allowed me to delve so much deeper into my culture and being able to share that with new readers is a dream come true.”
Carmen McCullough, Editorial Director, says: “I could talk endlessly about this unique and powerful story that instantly captivated the whole team. I fell in love with Ania’s writing from the very first page – from the moment Liska stepped into the woods to begin her strange magical journey. I was fascinated to learn about polish folklore, enthralled by the magic and completely swept up in the most breathtaking love story. This is a truly special book and Ania is an incredible new YA talent that we can’t wait to launch next year.”
Ripley Parker to Adapt LIES WE SING TO THE SEA for Archery
We are delighted to announce that LIES WE SING TO THE SEA is to be adapted for film. Emily Hayward-Whitlock at The Artists Partnership represented the film rights on behalf of Paper Literary. From The Hollywood Reporter:
Fast-rising writer Ripley Parker, whose first TV project Everything Now (previously entitled The Fuck It Bucket) is launching on Netflix later this year, is set to adapt YA fantasy novel Lies We Sing to the Sea for film with the rights acquired by Kris Thykier’s U.K.-based banner Archery Pictures.
The debut novel of Sarah Underwood, Lies We Sing to the Sea is a magical coming-of-age drama set in a sun- and blood-soaked Ancient Greece, inspired by the myth of Penelope’s hanged maids. In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each spring brings the hanging of 12 young women, a tithe to the vengeful Poseidon. But when Leto awakens from her death on the shore of a magical island, its enigmatic keeper Melantho tells her that she has been chosen by the Gods to break Ithaca’s curse. Leto must return home and kill the prince.
Snapped up in a pre-empt by Farshore in the U.K. and its sister company HarperCollins Children’s Books in the U.S., the book published March 16 in the U.K., while in the U.S. it has already reached number two on the Indie Bestseller list and number 9 on the New York Times‘ best-seller list in its first week of publication.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with these characters,” said Parker, who’s the daughter of Thandiwe Newton and Oli Parker. “To be handed someone else’s story for safekeeping is such a beautiful responsibility, and I only hope I can do it justice. It’s a truly incredible book, and Sarah is obviously prodigiously talented. The world will very soon be clamoring for more of her words. I’m so thrilled to be working with her, and all the wonderful folks at Archery.”
Added Underwood: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Lies We Sing to the Sea is being adapted for film, and I cannot imagine a better home for it than at Archery Pictures. It’s been wonderful to see Ripley’s enthusiasm for this project; I know that Leto, Melantho and Mathias are in the very best of hands.”
Archery Pictures recently produced John Madden’s World War II spy drama Operation Mincemeat, starring Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen and Kelly Macdonald, while on the TV side it produced two seasons of Netflix hit Fate: The Winx Saga, and three seasons of Riviera for Sky Atlantic.
“Both Ripley and Sarah are formidable talents,” said Thykier. In Lies We Sing to the Sea, Sarah has taken something old and familiar and made it dazzling and new. Ripley’s fresh and original voice was our first and only choice for the adaptation. We feel incredibly honored and very lucky to be working with them both. They are the very brightest of stars.”
The deal was brokered for Underwood by Emily Hayward Whitlock at The Artists Partnership on behalf of Catherine Cho at Paper Literary, and for Parker, by Charlotte Knight at Knight Hall Agency.
The debut novel of Sarah Underwood, Lies We Sing to the Sea is a magical coming-of-age drama set in a sun- and blood-soaked Ancient Greece, inspired by the myth of Penelope’s hanged maids. In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each spring brings the hanging of 12 young women, a tithe to the vengeful Poseidon. But when Leto awakens from her death on the shore of a magical island, its enigmatic keeper Melantho tells her that she has been chosen by the Gods to break Ithaca’s curse. Leto must return home and kill the prince.
Snapped up in a pre-empt by Farshore in the U.K. and its sister company HarperCollins Children’s Books in the U.S., the book published March 16 in the U.K., while in the U.S. it has already reached number two on the Indie Bestseller list and number 9 on the New York Times‘ best-seller list in its first week of publication.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with these characters,” said Parker, who’s the daughter of Thandiwe Newton and Oli Parker. “To be handed someone else’s story for safekeeping is such a beautiful responsibility, and I only hope I can do it justice. It’s a truly incredible book, and Sarah is obviously prodigiously talented. The world will very soon be clamoring for more of her words. I’m so thrilled to be working with her, and all the wonderful folks at Archery.”
Added Underwood: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Lies We Sing to the Sea is being adapted for film, and I cannot imagine a better home for it than at Archery Pictures. It’s been wonderful to see Ripley’s enthusiasm for this project; I know that Leto, Melantho and Mathias are in the very best of hands.”
Archery Pictures recently produced John Madden’s World War II spy drama Operation Mincemeat, starring Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen and Kelly Macdonald, while on the TV side it produced two seasons of Netflix hit Fate: The Winx Saga, and three seasons of Riviera for Sky Atlantic.
“Both Ripley and Sarah are formidable talents,” said Thykier. In Lies We Sing to the Sea, Sarah has taken something old and familiar and made it dazzling and new. Ripley’s fresh and original voice was our first and only choice for the adaptation. We feel incredibly honored and very lucky to be working with them both. They are the very brightest of stars.”
The deal was brokered for Underwood by Emily Hayward Whitlock at The Artists Partnership on behalf of Catherine Cho at Paper Literary, and for Parker, by Charlotte Knight at Knight Hall Agency.
LIES WE SING TO THE SEA is a New York Times and Indie Bestseller
We are thrilled to say that Sarah Underwood’s LIES WE SING TO THE SEA has debuted at #9 on the New York Times‘ bestseller list and #2 on the Indie Bestseller List. Many congratulations to Sarah!
LIES WE SING TO THE SEA publishes today 16th March 2023 in the UK, with a wonderful line-up of publication events.
About LIES WE SING TO THE SEA:
In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each spring brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful Poseidon. But when Leto awakens from her death on the shore of a long-forgotten island, its enigmatic keeper Melantho tells her that there’s only one way the curse can be broken. Leto must kill the last prince of Ithaca . . .
A reclamation of a story from thousands of years ago, LIES WE SING TO THE SEA is about love and fate, grief and sacrifice, and, ultimately, the power we must find within.
Sarah Underwood's LIES WE SING TO THE SEA publishes in the US
Our very first Paper Literary deal – Sarah Underwood’s dazzling debut novel, LIES WE SING TO THE SEA publishes in the US today! The UK publication is the following week on 16th March. We are so delighted for Sarah and wish her a very happy publication.
A lead title from HarperTeen and Electric Monkey, LIES WE SING TO THE SEA is a fantasy romance, inspired by Greek mythology and the tale of Penelope’s twelve hanged maids.
It’s received some wonderful quotes:
”A lovely, lyrical fantasy which takes the fate of the hanged maids of the Odyssey and weaves something brand new. A story overflowing with emotion and full of magic.”
Jennifer Saint, internationally bestselling author of Ariadne and Elektra
“Lies We Sing to the Sea is a lyrical, elegant debut bursting with imagination and heart. Underwood expertly weaves a tale about the inevitability of fate—and the love that makes us rail against it anyway. Bittersweet and wholly cathartic.” Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic
“A wondrous tale of love, death, and sacrifice. The vivid characters give depth and adventure to a story with roots in classic Greek mythology.” Natasha Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of Skin of the Sea
In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each spring brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful Poseidon. But when Leto awakens from her death on the shore of a long-forgotten island, its enigmatic keeper Melantho tells her that there’s only one way the curse can be broken. Leto must kill the last prince of Ithaca . . .
A reclamation of a story from thousands of years ago, LIES WE SING TO THE SEA is about love and fate, grief and sacrifice, and, ultimately, the power we must find within.
Sarah Thomas' QUEEN K publishes in the UK
We are delighted that Sarah Thomas’s QUEEN K, a lead title from Serpent’s Tail publishes today in the UK.
QUEEN K has been receiving critical acclaim and named on the ‘Best of 2023 lists’ by the FT and the Evening Standard. The Times described QUEEN K as ‘Balzac in Balenciaga’ — it will be sold in displays at Selfridges and Harrods — with ‘escapist, beach-read vibes, then bares its teeth with a devastating portrait of the emotional cost of greed’.
Inspired by Thomas’ experiences as a private tutor to the super-rich, QUEEN K is set in a glittering world of luxury and greed.
On a balmy evening in late March, an oligarch’s wife hosts a party on a superyacht moored in the Maldives. Tables cover the massive deck, adorned with orchids, champagne bottles, name cards of celebrities. Uniformed staff flank a red carpet on the landing dock. This is what Kata has wanted for a long time: acceptance into the glittering world of high society. But there are those who aim to come between Kata and her goal, and they are closer to home than she could have imagined.
Witness to the corruption and violence underneath the shiny surfaces is Mel, a young English woman employed to tutor Kata’s precocious daughter and navigate her through the class codes of English privilege. Now the closest Mel gets to such privilege is as hired help to the wealthy, and she is deeply resentful.
Exquisitely written and deliciously unreliable, QUEEN K takes the reader to some of the most luxurious places in the world. But a dark refrain sounds from the very beginning of the story and grows towards its operatic finale: a novel about insatiable material desire can only ever be a tragedy.
Rae Rashad's THE BLUEPRINT sold in 'significant' six-figure pre-empt
We are delighted to announce that Rae Rashad’s debut, THE BLUEPRINT has been sold in a ‘significant’ six-figure pre-empt to Sarah Ried at Harper.
Sarah Ried acquired North American rights in a one book deal from Catherine Cho at Paper Literary. THE BLUEPRINT is a speculative novel set in an alternate America where an uprising during the 1950s led to the re-enslavement of black women. It follows the story of Solenne, a young woman who becomes the concubine of a powerful white government official.
THE BLUEPRINT is a story about choosing one’s destiny, about sacrifice, about one woman’s journey to reclaim her power. Inspired by the life of Sally Hemings and the true accounts of enslaved Black girls who became concubines to powerful white men, this is a novel that reaches across genre, and – in the way that the most powerful speculative novels do – sheds light on the truths of our world.
Rae Rashad says: “Solenne’s journey to find emotional and physical freedom is both heartbreaking and empowering. As the author, there is freedom in being able to share such a deeply personal story with readers. Many thanks to my agent, Catherine Cho, and my editor, Sarah Ried at Harper. I will forever be grateful for their steadfast encouragement and belief that Solenne’s story deserves to be told with truth and honesty.”
'Major' six-figure deals for Tasha Coryell's debut IF I KILL YOU
We are absolutely delighted to announce deals for Tasha Coryell’s debut thriller IF I KILL YOU, represented by Katie Greenstreet. North American rights were acquired in a ‘major’ six-figure deal by Jen Monroe at Berkley, and UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired in a ‘major’ six-figure deal by Leodora Darlington at Orion.
UK and Commonwealth rights were sold at auction following multiple pre-empt attempts that were turned down, including one that came in less than 24 hours after submission.
Greenstreet and the Paper Literary rights team have closed lightning speed deals, including a pre-empt in France by Robert Laffront. Coryell’s debut is also at auction in Italy after turning down a pre-empt, with first offers in for Germany.
“Razor-sharp, fresh, funny, and irresistibly compelling, If I Kill You, is a brilliant thriller that examines our fascination with true crime. When a handsome lawyer named Wesley is arrested for a series of murders, recently ghosted 30-something Hannah begins writing him letters as an outlet for both her frustration at her failure to launch and her feminist rage. The exercise empowers her, and even feels healthy at first – until Wesley writes back. Their correspondence tips Hannah’s interest in the case from curiosity to obsession, leaving space for nothing else as her life implodes around her. Hannah is the first person Wesley calls upon his release, and they quickly fall into a routine of domestic bliss. Well, as blissful as one can feel while secretly investigating their partner for serial murder…”
Darlington said: “I was bowled over when Tasha’s manuscript landed on my desk. The pitch was compelling, and only a few sentences in, I knew that Tasha’s voice was something special, too. Tasha perfectly encapsulates the millennial experience; the frustration of looking around and seeing that you don’t have what other people your age have; the ease with which interest can slip into obsession; how selective society is about the voices and lives we choose to raise up as important. I could wax lyrical for days about If I Kill You, but I’ve just got to let readers discover this incredible book for themselves. Guaranteed, you will be thinking about the characters Tasha writes long after you turn the final page.”
Coryell said: “Hannah’s search for love and serial killers has lived inside my head for so long and I am thrilled to be working with Leodora Darlington at Orion to bring that journey to readers. All the thanks go to my agent Katie Greenstreet who saw my vision and recognised all that the book could be.”
Greenstreet said: “Discovering Tasha’s book in my submissions pile was truly the stuff of publishing dreams – it’s the literary thriller I’ve been looking for my whole career. Propulsive, biting, and shot through with millennial ennui, I defy future readers not to finish If I Kill You in one sitting! The passion that Leodora and her team have shown for Tasha’s work from the moment my pitch landed in her inbox has blown me away, and I’m delighted to be partnering with Orion to introduce the world to this exceptional novel.”
Karen Ball's THE BEAUTY CASE sold in six-figure pre-empt to Viking
We are delighted to announce that Viking has acquired The Beauty Case by Karen Ball in a six-figure pre-empt. Katie Greenstreet sold world English language rights to Vikki Moynes at Viking for publication in summer 2024. Auctions for translation rights have already begun.
The Beauty Case follows Loretta, “a quick-witted and plucky young woman who harbours a dubious past and is trying to succeed as a make-up artist in the glamorously debauched, misogyny-steeped world of 1950s Hollywood. But La La Land better beware, because there’s something deadlier than make-up lurking in her beauty case, and not all her clients will make it out alive…”
Ball said: “Writing The Beauty Case has been a joy from the very start. Loretta is a character who demanded to be written – she’s very insistent that way. I am humbled by and in awe of the exceptional work from my agent, Katie Greenstreet, and Vikki Moynes’ energy and vision. Together with Loretta, I think we’ll make quite the team!”
Moynes added: “Karen has written a novel that defies typical genre conventions in the best way, bringing Loretta, her formidable yet loveable whip-sharp protagonist to life with a voice that punches its way off the page. She merges the escapism in the luxe debauchery of the Hollywood setting with a darker undercurrent of righteous justice being served with just a hint of sugar and a heavy helping of pizazz. I am so thrilled to be bringing her storytelling prowess and dark wit to the Viking list and can’t wait for readers to get their hands on this delectably juicy, utterly moreish novel.”
A former Bookseller Rising Star with her publishing consultancy Speckled Pen, The Beauty Case is Ball’s debut adult novel having written more than 25 children’s books.
Sarah Thomas's QUEEN K to be lead debut for Serpent's Tail
We are delighted to announce that Sarah Thomas’ Queen K has been sold as a lead debut for Serpent’s Tail. Luke Brown, editorial director, acquired world rights excluding North America from Katie Greenstreet.
Queen K is a literary thriller exploring the dark world behind Russian wealth. It will publish as a lead debut in February 2023.
The story was inspired by Thomas’ work as a private tutor to the super wealthy, which she began doing after leaving university. The events of Queen K are narrated by an unreliable tutor who, while teaching an oligarch’s daughter, becomes privy to suspicious deaths and to the downfall of his wife.
“On a balmy evening in late March, Kata hosts a party on the superyacht that she owns with her husband,” the synopsis reads. “Tables cover the massive deck, adorned with orchids, champagne bottles, name cards of famous people, while uniformed staff flank a red carpet on the landing dock. This night marks the attainment of something she’s wanted for a long time: acceptance into the glittering world of high society. But there are those who wish to come between Kata and her goal. They are complex and angry, full of resentment. And they are closer to home than she could ever have imagined.
“Narrated with delicious unreliability by a troubled young Englishwoman employed to tutor this family’s precocious daughter, Queen K pulls back the curtain on the power plays within one extraordinary family, as world politics begin to encroach on their corrupt and fiercely defended haven.”
Brown said: “Queen K is a glittering literary thriller about a subject we are particularly aware of at the moment: the dark side of Russian money and what happens to the oligarchs who get on the wrong side of Putin. It’s a debut that reminded me of Fitzgerald, Highsmith and le Carré.”
“In my 20s I worked all over the world as a private tutor for the super-rich,” Thomas said. “I drew on this experience to write Queen K and realised as I did that the best form to crystallise their world was that of a tragedy. I am very excited to be published on the Serpent’s Tail imprint alongside writers I admire such as Mary Gaitskill, Chris Kraus, Pola Oloixarac and Elfriede Jelinek.”
Brooke Robinson's THE INTERPRETER acquired in six figure pre-empt
We are delighted to announce that Harvill Secker has acquired the UK rights for debut author Brooke Robinson’s “devastating” psychological thriller The Interpreter in a six figure pre-empt.
Katie Ellis-Brown, deputy publishing director for crime, thriller and crossover fiction, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Katie Greenstreet at Paper Literary in a two-book deal. The novel will publish as Vintage’s lead crime thriller debut for 2023.
US rights were pre-empted by Emily Griffin at HarperCollins and rights have been sold to Piemme at auction in Italy and to Droemer Knaur in Germany.
The novel follows a police interpreter and single mum who begins deliberately mistranslating statements to secure convictions, only for someone to discover what she’s doing and seek justice of their own.
Ellis-Brown said: “This is a book I’ve been waiting years to publish – it is full of emotional-depth, is exceptionally well-written and has a wholly satisfying plot with a twist that is genuinely brilliant – there is nothing like this in the genre right now.
“I can already hear readers saying ‘have you read the one about the interpreter?’ Brooke is a dream author and really has delivered a very special thriller. I feel privileged that she has chosen Harvill Secker as her partner to launch what is sure to be a huge writing career.”
Robinson, who hails from Australia and is also a playwright, said: “From the beginning it was clear to me that Katie and Harvill Secker were the perfect team for The Interpreter. Their vision and ambition for this book is truly exciting and I’m beyond thrilled to be working with them. Thanks go to my fabulous agent Katie for her energy and passion in making it all happen.”