Head of Zeus snaps up lakeside romance by debut author Cristina Wolf

Aubrie Artiano, Editorial Director at Head of Zeus, has acquired World English rights in HOW TO WRITE A ROM-COM and a currently untitled novel by Cristina Wolf from Sian Ellis-Martin at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. HOW TO WRITE A ROM-COM will be published on the Aria imprint in May 2025, with the second book following in May 2026.

Lucy Bowen has had enough of romance. After multiple failed relationships and an extreme lack of Prince Charmings lining up to date her, she’s given up on the idea altogether… except she can’t really do that because she works for NYC’s biggest romance publisher, Heartwarming.

When Heartwarming’s bestselling author Ruby Jones threatens to leave due to dwindling sales, Lucy is sent on a research trip to a tiny lakeside town by her interfering boss. Lucy reluctantly agrees to a month-long trip to the middle of nowhere for the possibility of promotion. But if she messes up, her whole career will be on the line. Before she can say ‘cliché’, Lucy finds herself living an actual small-town romance, complete with a quirky cast of characters and some undeniable chemistry between her and the town hunk, Liam…

As Lucy’s secret mission nears its end, she’s faced with some important decisions: should she tell Liam the truth about why she’s really there? Does she really want to go back to the city? And, might she finally have found love…?

Cristina Wolf said ‘Words can truly not express how excited I am to be working with Aubrie Artiano and the Head of Zeus team on my contemporary romance series. I am incredibly grateful to my agent, Sian Ellis-Martin for quite literally making my dreams come true. As a passionate romance reader, I wrote HOW TO WRITE A ROM-COM as a love letter to my favorite genre, and I hope that shines through on every page.’

Aubrie Artiano said ‘Cristina’s writing is heartfelt, with characters that are flawed, funny, and deeply relatable. This book reads like Virgin River meets How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.’

Sian Ellis-Martin said ‘I’m so pleased that HOW TO WRITE A ROM-COM found its home with Aubrie and the Aria team at Head of Zeus. Working with Cristina is a dream and I can’t wait for readers to fall in love with her writing and Lucy and Liam’s story just like I have.’

About Cristina Wolf

Writing and reading has been a passion of Cristina’s from the beginning. After graduating from Marist College with a double major in Business and English, Cristina pursued a career in the publishing industry while earning her Master of Science in Publishing from New York University. Cristina has experience working at literary agencies and as an editorial assistant at a publishing house. Finding life in NYC a bit different than she expected, Cristina returned to her native New Jersey where she earned her Master in Teaching from Monmouth University. She now shares her love of books with her students as a middle school English teacher.

Other than working or writing, Cristina loves spending time with her dogs, Zoey and Winnie, exercising on her Peloton, laying on her hammock with a good book, and planning her next trip to Disney World.

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Head of Zeus acquires two new titles from David Gilman

Nicolas Cheetham, CEO of Head of Zeus, has acquired rights in two new books by David Gilman from Isobel Dixon, Head of Books at Blake Friedmann.

 Cheetham has acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) in the third title in Gilman’s international thriller series, THE ENGLISHMAN. The first book featuring French Foreign Legionnaire Dan Raglan was longlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize in 2021 and was a Financial Times Thriller of the Year in 2020. The second book in the series, BETRAYAL, is out in hardback on 6 January 2022, with the third title to be published in February 2023.

 AGC Studios have optioned THE ENGLISHMAN for development as a feature film in the vein of the Jason Bourne franchise with 300, ACT OF VALOR and ATOMIC BLONDE scriptwriter Kurt Johnstad set to write the adventure-thriller script.

 Head of Zeus has also signed up World English language rights in the eighth instalment of Gilman’s hugely popular MASTER OF WAR series, set during the 100 Years War and starring English stonemason and archer, Thomas Blackstone, who becomes a renowned knight. The series has sold over half a million copies in English and is a Top Ten paperback and ebook bestseller in Germany. The eighth Thomas Blackstone title will be published in February 2024.

Nicolas Cheetham says: Ten years and ten books ago, David was one of the first writers to throw his lot in with the newly-formed Head of Zeus. Together we have survived armoured cavalry charges, the Black Death, the Boer War and Nazi-occupied Paris. Now with his new series of contemporary thrillers we line up behind Dan Raglan, aka THE ENGLISHMAN, as we close in on one million sales – with more adventures for Thomas Blackstone and his comrades to follow too.’

David Gilman says: ‘I am extremely fortunate to have Nic Cheetham as my publisher at Head of Zeus, whose enthusiasm for my work allows me to write books covering medieval to contemporary times. It has proven to be a successful partnership that has created two ongoing literary heroes with Thomas Blackstone in the 14th Century MASTER OF WAR series and Dan Raglan in the 21st Century THE ENGLISHMAN series. I’m looking forward to seeing where they go next!’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘I’m always in awe of David Gilman’s versatility and work ethic, and the way he creates such engaging characters from very different time periods. I am so happy that readers can keep following both Dan Raglan and Thomas Blackstone, as David writes more brilliant stories and Head of Zeus continues to build the reach of these two superb series.’

Praise for David Gilman

‘Verve, pace, shocks and intrigue … an author at the zenith of his powers.’ – Peter James

‘Electrifying proof that high-tension international thrillers are back – and with an absolute vengeance.’ – William Shaw

 ‘The pace is relentless, the action and fight scenes superbly choreographed and Raglan is nicely complex: an action man with inner depths... THE ENGLISHMAN is a cracking, finely crafted thriller.' – Adam Le Bor, Financial Times

'Incisive prose – and the pulse-pounding pace just never lets up.’ – Peter May

‘What Gilman does superlatively is heart-pounding action.’—The Times

 'I'm totally bedazzled. I'd never thought that another writer could rival Bernard Cornwell … but David is giving him a real run for his money.’— Sharon Penman

 ‘Move over Bernard Cornwell! Historical fiction at its best.’ — Historical Novel Society

 About David Gilman

David Gilman lives in Devon. He was a firefighter, soldier, photographer, then award-winning screenwriter and writer of an acclaimed adventure series for young readers, before turning to writing his much-loved and bestselling MASTER OF WAR series full-time. Head of Zeus have sold more than half a million copies of David Gilman’s novels in English, and his work is translated into more than a dozen languages. The MASTER OF WAR titles featuring Thomas Blackstone has been widely reviewed and titles have featured several times on the Der Spiegel bestseller lists in Germany.

 THE LAST HORSEMAN, a standalone novel following Irish involvement in the Anglo-Boer War, was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize and his new contemporary thriller series, THE ENGLISHMAN, starring ex-Foreign Legion soldier Dan Raglan, was longlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize as well. He is also the author of a popular WWII espionage thriller, NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS.

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FILM RIGHTS TO THE ENGLISHMAN BY DAVID GILMAN OPTIONED BY AGC STUDIOS

Rights to THE ENGLISHMAN, the first novel in best-selling author David Gilman’s new book series, have been optioned by AGC Studios, Stuart Ford’s fast-growing independent studio, to be developed into a feature film.

Gilman is known for tension-filled, action-packed books that rise above standard adventure novels with smart and insightful writing informed by the acclaimed author’s life.  His biography rivals the plots of his books and imbues them with an up-to-the-moment reality against a global backdrop.  Gilman has been a paratrooper in the British Army, a firefighter, a professional photographer, a truck driver, a farm worker, a marketing executive for an international publishing company and a world traveller before the time he turned 30.  That experience is on every page of his latest book of which writer and journalist William Shaw said, “THE ENGLISHMAN is thrilling proof that high-tension international thrillers are back – and with an absolute vengeance” and The Times’ Jeremy Dun said, “THE ENGLISHMAN is a sweat-inducing tour-de-force.” Other works informed by Gilman’s extraordinary life include his tenure as one of the lead writers on the BAFTA® award winning ITV television series A TOUCH OF FROST, and as the author of the MASTER OF WAR historical novels and  YA adventure series, DANGER ZONE.

Published by Head of Zeus, THE ENGLISHMAN centres on Raglan, a former soldier whose work in the French Foreign Legion taking on terrorists in sub-Saharan Africa brings him to the attention of MI6.  He is soon recruited for a secret, undercover mission that takes him on a relentless search through the network of a dangerous international organized crime operation.  He finds out just how dangerous the mission is when he lands in a Siberian penal colony.  His physical and mental strength, and help from Yefimov, a fellow inmate, are keys to his survival through perilous and life-threatening dangers.  In Raglan THE ENGLISHMAN introduces us to an intelligent, complex and strong globe-trotting hero made for the challenges of the 21st Century.

Ford says, "We're thrilled to have acquired the right to make a film or maybe multiple films from David Gilman's compelling, enigmatic action hero Raglan and are looking forward to introducing some top tier writing and directing talent to the project in the near future".

The deal was negotiated by Conrad Williams on behalf of Gilman and by Stuart Ford and Vice President of Legal & Business Affairs Anant Tamirisa on behalf of AGC.

Translation rights to THE ENGLISHMAN have also already been acquired by Bulgarian publisher Delphin and Romanian publisher Lebada Neagra, emphasising its global appeal. Rights in David Gilman’s other titles have been sold in more than a dozen translation markets, and his MASTER OF WAR series has featured on German bestseller lists.

Praise for David Gilman

‘Verve, pace, shocks and intrigue, this is spy thriller writing by an author at the zenith of his powers.’ – Peter James

'Incisive prose – and the pulse-pounding pace just never lets up.’ – Peter May

‘The ENGLISHMAN is thrilling proof that high-tension international thrillers are back – and with an absolute vengeance.’ – William Shaw

‘A sweat-inducing tour de force.’ – Jeremy Duns, Thrillers of the Month, The Times

‘What Gilman does superlatively is heart-pounding action.’ — Amanda Craig, The Times

‘NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS is a magnificent war spy thriller. I couldn’t read it fast enough. Clever, complex, gripping, emotionally engaging, terrifying. And so much more. A stand-out novel of the year for me and one that kept me reading late into the summer night.’ — For Winter Nights

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Head of Zeus acquires two new thrillers by David Gilman

Nicolas Cheetham, CEO at Head of Zeus, has acquired UK & Commonwealth rights to two new David Gilman thrillers from Isobel Dixon, Head of Books at Blake Friedmann.

David Gilman is best known for his MASTER OF WAR series, set during the 100 Years War, which has sold some 400,000 copies in English and is a top 10 paperback and eBook bestseller in Germany (Rowohlt). The 6th MASTER OF WAR title CROSS OF FIRE is published in the UK on 6 February 2020 and Gilman is currently completing the 7th. He is also the author of THE LAST HORSEMAN (shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize) and NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS. Rights to his books have been sold in 16 languages worldwide.

The former paratrooper, marketing manager (Penguin South Africa) and screenwriter (TOUCH OF FROST) is now set to return to shelves with a contemporary thriller THE ENGLISHMAN, following its eponymous ex-Foreign Legion protagonist from the arid deserts of Africa, to the bleak streets and back-alleys of South London, and beyond to the underbelly of Moscow and the icy grip of an arctic prison camp.

Nicolas Cheetham said: ‘Building on the success of David’s historical thriller NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS, this is a KOLYMSKY HEIGHTS-class novel which will be our star title for July 2020 – a quest for revenge that leads to the permafrost desolation of a Siberian penal colony. A place that holds Russia's most brutal murderers. How will our hero get in? More importantly, how will he get out?’

David Gilman said: ‘Many years ago I met some French Foreign Legionnaires and was fascinated by them. Then, while completing a MASTER OF WAR title, Raglan knocked firmly on my door and wouldn’t go away. I realised this intriguing, intelligent, highly trained and fallible ex-Legionnaire with a strong moral code would be a valuable asset in any situation in which I placed him, stepping from the shadows and into danger when governments need him – someone who does not officially exist. I’m very glad my publisher Nic Cheetham of Head of Zeus let him in too.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘Fans already eagerly await the next appearance of Thomas Blackstone in every MASTER OF WAR title, and now they have a fantastic contemporary treat in store as well, with the arrival of Dan Raglan on the scene. An arrival that is guaranteed to cause a stir. I’m delighted that Head of Zeus will be introducing readers to David Gilman’s unforgettable hero in THE ENGLISHMAN this year.’


Praise for David Gilman

'I'm totally bedazzled. I'd never thought that another writer could rival Bernard Cornwell…but David is giving him a real run for his money.’ — Sharon Penman

‘What Gilman does superlatively is heart-pounding action.’ — Amanda Craig, The Times

'Like a punch from a mailed fist, MASTER OF WAR gives a true taste of the Hundred Years War. It is a gripping chronicle of pitched battle, treachery and cruelty.' — Robert Fabbri

‘NIGHT FLIGHT TO PARIS is a magnificent war spy thriller. I couldn’t read it fast enough. Clever, complex, gripping, emotionally engaging, terrifying. And so much more. A stand-out novel of the year for me and one that kept me reading late into the summer night.’ — For Winter Nights

‘A gripping read from an assured storyteller’ — Antonia Senior, The Times

'A gripping ride.' — Wilbur Smith

'Page-turning and gritty.' — Daily Mail


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HEAD OF ZEUS PRE-EMPTS TWO NEW DANI ATKINS NOVELS

Credit: Hannah Couzens

Dani Atkins is returning to Head of Zeus after the publisher pre-empted her new novel in a two-book deal.

Head of Zeus published Atkin’s first two novels FRACTURED and THE STORY OF US  following a deal in 2013, before the author went on to write a trio of Simon & Schuster titles.

The first new book, A MILLION DREAMS, will be published in hardback, export trade paperback, e-book and audio in November, 2019. Publishing director Laura Palmer acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a pre-empt from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann.

A MILLION DREAMS tells the story of Beth, a young widow, who discovers that the embryo she and her husband froze before his death was implanted in the wrong woman. Her longed-for child, now a seven-year-old boy, is growing up without her.

Palmer said: “I just love Dani's gripping, emotional, uplifting stories. She writes books you want to curl up with, but they also make you think. I could not be more excited that Dani Atkins is coming back to Head of Zeus.”

Atkins added: “I’m delighted to be back at Head of Zeus, my first publishing home. Working with my editor Laura Palmer has always been a joy, and the enthusiasm from the whole team for this book has been incredibly exciting.”