Doubleday snaps up US rights to August Thomas' POX in six-figure pre-empt

August Thomas’ Enlightenment-era historical novel POX has been snapped up in a six-figure pre-empt by Doubleday. North American rights were acquired by Carolyn Williams, for publication in Spring 2028.

Set between Constantinople and London, POX is inspired by the timely true story of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, a daring adventurer and smallpox survivor whose advocacy paved the way for all modern vaccines. While researching the book, August retraced 800 miles of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu’s journey to Constantinople.

The deal was brokered by Katie Greenstreet at Paper Literary.