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We are thrilled to announce that S.J. Cristea’s debut fantasy rom-com has sold in an significant six-figure pre-empt to Julia Elliott at Avon/HarperCollins and Mikaela Roasa at Harper Canada, and will be published in the UK by Penguin Michael Joseph, who won a four-way auction, in deals brokered by Kiya Evans at Paper Literary.

Auctions have concluded internationally in Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine, with pre-empts in Brazil and France. Rights have sold in ten translation territories thus far, with more in negotiation.

How To Save A Dog From The Underworld follows Jodie, a headstrong necromancer who travels to the Underworld to retrieve her dog’s soul, only to find Zach, the infuriating (but admittedly handsome) God of the Underworld, pet-sitting – and refusing to give the dog back. At a stalemate, they agree to take part in three publicised trials to decide the rightful owner, but as sparks fly and stakes rise, Jodie and Zach must choose—win the dog, or lose their hearts.

We are thrilled to share that Lindsey Anderson Rios’s BRIGHT LIGHT ON THE HORIZON, a YA dystopian novel about two teens on a mission to retrieve a vaccine to save their world from a parasitic fungus, has been pre-empted in the US by Kelsey Murphy at Viking Children’s, and acquired in the UK by Rachel Leyshon at Chicken House, by Catherine Cho at Paper Literary.

Loosely inspired by the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska, Lindsey’s debut will be published in spring 2027. Rights have also sold to Gallmeister in France.

It will appeal to fans of action-packed, atmospheric books about reluctant allies, like ONE DARK WINDOW by Rachel Gillig, or anyone who loves the heartwarming story of Balto but wishes it were set in a world teeming with parasitic fungi, à la THE LAST OF US.

Congratulations, Lindsey!

We are excited to announce that Maria Meservey’s debut THE IRONFELL INHERITANCE and THE MORROW ARCHIVES habe been sold in multi-way auctions worldwide.

North American rights were acquired in an upper six-figure deal by Tricia Narwani at Del Rey Books in a highly competitive fourteen bidder auction. Rebecca Hilsdon at Michael Joseph acquired UK rights in a ‘significant’ six-figure deal in a heated seven-way auction. Rights have also sold in eight other territories, including at auction in Germany for a ‘significant’ six-figure deal, by Melissa Pimentel at Paper Literary.

Pitched as THE HUNGER GAMES meets WEDNESDAY, the novel follows the Ironfell family, whose line of succession is determined by bloodshed rather than birthright. When the Ironfell patriarch dies, his descendants must fight to the death to inherit his vast wealth – and the terrifying supernatural power that make them the most feared family in the land.

Maria said: ‘I am endlessly delighted to be working with Tricia, Rebecca, and the amazing Del Rey and Michael Joseph teams. It is such a dream to have found such a lovely home for this vicious little book, and I am eternally grateful to my brilliant agent, Catherine Cho at Paper Literary, for making it happen.’

Rebecca said: ‘As soon as I stepped inside Ironfell Manor I knew I needed this darkly propulsive book to join the PMJ fantasy list. From the creaking, spooky manor – which offers the perfect backdrop  – to the noble Walter – who fronts an unforgettable cast –  this novel puts me in mind of the very best in gothic Victorian literature. But with a freshness that will appeal to a truly modern reader.’ 

Tricia said: ‘This gorgeously morbid and deliciously addictive book, with its perfectly calibrated gothic aesthetic and heart-piercing plot twists, was such a delight to my dark heart—and it will also entrance legions of readers with its macabre music. Maria is a talent unlike any other and I’m honoured to work with her.’

Catherine said: ‘When I first read The Ironfell Inheritance and in my submissions inbox, I had chills. Maria is an exceptional talent with a singular voice; she has created a dark, captivating world that is unforgettable. I’m thrilled she’s found a brilliant home on both sides of the Atlantic.’

The Ironfell Inheritance by Maria Meservey will be published in Autumn 2027. Congratulations, Maria!

Congratulations to Rosanna Pike, who is the winner of the 2025 Goldsboro Glass Bell Award!

Pike took home the award for her “dazzling” historical novel A Little Trickerie (Fig Tree), which “captured the judges’ imaginations”.

David Headley, managing director of Goldsboro Books, said: “A Little Trickerie captivated us from the very first page. Daring, inventive and beautifully written, it balances sharp wit with real emotional depth.

He said: “The characters are alive with nuance, the narrative both playful and profound, surprising us at every turn. Above all, it’s a novel we found impossible to put down, and equally impossible to forget.”

A Little Trickerie was joined on the shortlist by The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey (Hutchinson Heinemann), James by Percival Everett (Mantle), Chris Whitaker’s All the Colours of the Dark (Orion), Elif Shafak’s There Are Rivers in the Sky (Viking) and The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to Wastelands by Sarah Brooks (W&N).

Launched in 2017, the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award is awarded annually to an outstanding work of contemporary fiction, rewarding quality storytelling in any genre. The winner of the Glass Bell receives £2,000 in prize money, and a handmade, engraved glass bell.

Happy publication day to BREADWINNERS, the must-read book on how to address the power dynamics in your work, life and love by award-winning science journalist Melissa Hogenboom, out today with Canongate Books.

Happy publication day to Melissa Poett and THE ENEMY’S DAUGHTER, the incredibly addictive debut YA enemies-to-lovers romantasy, which publishes in the UK today from HarperFire.

North American rights to Cali Adeline’s debut novel PEOPLE WATCHING IN THE DESERT have been won by Edie Astley at Harper US, at auction. Rights were sold by Katie Greenstreet.

Perfect for fans of ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE and REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES, Cali’s debut is set at a luxury Arizona resort, and follows a lonely young woman who prefers to live in a world of her own making, scribbling observations in her notebook, and the seismic repercussions that follow when she’s forced to step outside of her fictional world.

Congratulations, Cali!