Carole Blake is delighted to announce the sale of THE SILK TREE, a new novel from bestselling historical author of the KYDD series, Julian Stockwin, to Allison & Busby.

Publishing Director Susie Dunlop bought UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Carole Blake at Blake Friedmann, and will publish THE SILK TREE in November 2014. A departure from Stockwin’s ongoing maritime Kydd series with Hodder, THE SILK TREE tells the dramatic story of how the secret of silk was brought to the west from China, and will be followed by a number of novels dramatising other pivotal historic discoveries.

Dunlop commented: ‘I have long admired Julian’s work, and it’s fantastic to add him to our list which already boasts John Wilcox and David Donachie. We are looking forward to introducing his dedicated fans to this exciting new novel’.

Julian Stockwin said: ' I am especially pleased to be published by Allison & Busby, a house with an excellent reputation amongst independent publishers and one with such a great enthusiasm for the art of story-telling.'

Carole Blake said: ‘This novel is the first of several that will certainly broaden Julian Stockwin’s readership. We already have a lot of international interest from publishers around the world.’

For rights information please contact Carole Blake: carole@blakefriedmann.co.uk