ANNE DE COURCY’S NEW NANCY CUNARD BIOGRAPHY TO W&N and ST MARTIN’S PRESS

Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann has clinched two deals for acclaimed biographer Anne de Courcy’s latest work, FIVE LOVE AFFAIRS AND A FRIENDSHIP: Scenes from the Turbulent Life of Nancy Cunard. UK and BC rights excluding Canada have been sold to Alan Samson at Weidenfeld & Nicolson, and Charles Spicer has acquired US and Canadian rights for St Martin’s Press. The deals were finalised on the basis of a proposal and the biography will be published in 2022.

Nancy Cunard was the half-American daughter of Maud Burke of San Francisco, who married Sir Bache Cunard, grandson of the founder of the Cunard shipping line. Nancy was brought up in a world of extreme luxury but also emotional neglect. A high society heiress of great beauty and intelligence, she was also a poet and political activist who founded the Hours Press in France in 1928 and was the first to publish writers like Samuel Beckett and Laura Riding, in beautiful hand-printed editions. Anne de Courcy will look at this complex woman through the lens of five key relationships in her life – her love affairs with writers and artists like Ezra Pound, Aldous Huxley and jazz pianist Henry Crowder, and also the enduring friendship with her mother’s one-time lover George Moore.

Anne de Courcy is a celebrated biographer, with long experience as a journalist and book reviewer. She has won a wide readership through her closely researched and vividly evoked lives of women throughout history, from Margot Asquith, wife of the Prime Minister during WW1 in MARGOT AT WAR, to the Cote d'Azur elite in the 1930s and 1940s in her latest book, CHANEL’S RIVIERA. THE VICEROY’S DAUGHTERS, THE FISHING FLEET and THE HUSBAND HUNTERS are among her bestselling and acclaimed books, among several others.

De Courcy’s writing is consistently described as ‘riveting’, ‘irresistible’, ‘intoxicating’, ‘vivid’ and ‘moving’, while her meticulous eye for detail and skill at research from original sources has also won praise.

Visit Anne de Courcy’s website.

Praise for Anne de Courcy and CHANEL’S RIVIERA:
‘Anne de Courcy combines the perseverance of a social historian with the panache of the novelist’ — The Times

'Dishy and well-researched...this fluidly written history succeeds in capturing the era’s intoxicating mix of glitz and grit.' — Publishers Weekly

'Intoxicating descriptions… meticulous detail' — New York Times

'Tales of glamour, decadence and survival... De Courcy's book is entertaining... a peek, at once envious and satisfyingly censorious, at the lifestyles of the rich and famous.' — Washington Post

‘Cleverly researched, sparkling with diamonds and wickedly funny.’ — Jane Ridley, The Spectator

'Sparkling, anecdote-rich narrative' – The Times

The arrival of THE HUSBAND HUNTERS in the UK, as De Courcy, Weidenfeld & St Martins set their sights on CHANEL’S RIVIERA

On 1 June Weidenfeld & Nicolson publish the UK edition of THE HUSBAND HUNTERS: Social Climbing in London & New York, Anne de Courcy’s sparkling social history of the 'Dollar Princesses' – the young American heiresses who married into the English aristocracy, rescuing crumbling castles and failing estates and gaining titles in return. UK readers can buy W&N’s beautiful hardback and download the audiobook, read by Clare Corbett.

St Martins Press will publish THE HUSBAND HUNTERS in the US in 2018. Charlie Spicer of St Martins and Alan Samson of Weidenfeld have also snapped up Anne’s new project CHANEL’S RIVIERA, for publication in 2020.

British readers are in for another De Courcy treat with THE HUSBAND HUNTERS as she tells how from 1874 – the year that Jennie Jerome, the first known 'Dollar Princess', married Randolph Churchill – to 1905, dozens of young American heiresses married into the British peerage, bringing with them all the fabulous wealth, glamour and sophistication of the Gilded Age. Anne de Courcy sets the stories of these young women and their families in the context of their times and vividly portrays a world where buying a swift route up the social ladder was the order of the day. Based on extensive first-hand research, drawing on diaries, memoirs and letters, this is a richly entertaining and revealing group biography.

CHANEL’S RIVIERA promises to be an equally enthralling take on stormy seasons on the French Riviera, with all the glamour and glitz of the high life interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. From the last golden fling of 1939 and the first Cannes Film Festival, which had to be suspended, to the first post-war festival of cinema, Anne de Courcy will tell another riveting tale, with its glossy motley crew, set against dark times. A fascinating cast includes Winston Churchill, the Windsors, Edith Wharton, Aldous Huxley, P.G. Wodehouse, Somerset Maugham, and of course Coco Chanel.

Anne de Courcy is a best-selling biographer, acclaimed for her first-hand research and engaging books, which not only tell the stories of her subjects’ lives, but depict the social history of the period. Her biographies include THE VICEROY’S DAUGHTERS, DIANA MOSLEY, DEBS AT WAR and SNOWDON. MARGOT AT WAR: LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN DOWNING STREET, 1912-1916 was shortlisted for the Paddy Power Political Book of the Year Award. THE FISHING FLEET spent many weeks on the Sunday Times bestseller list and has been optioned for film and TV, with rights to THE HUSBAND HUNTERS also under negotiation.

See more on Anne’s website here.

Praise for Anne de Courcy:

‘Anne de Courcy combines the perseverance of a social historian with the panache of the novelist’ – The Times

‘De Courcy paints a rich canvas.’ – The Sunday Times

‘De Courcy tells her story with perspicacity and aplomb.’ – The Field

‘Compulsively readable and immaculately researched, popular social history at its very best.’ – The Mail on Sunday

‘A world of glittering house parties, aristocratic immorality and political intrigue in a narrative that reads like a racy novel.’ – Sunday Times

St. Martin's pre-empts de Courcy's THE HUSBAND HUNTERS

Charles Spicer of St. Martin's has pre-empted US rights in THE HUSBAND HUNTERS: Social Climbing in London and New York, by bestselling biographer and historian Anne de Courcy. Described as ‘the real Downton Abbey story’, Anne de Courcy’s latest work tells of the wealthy American heiresses who came to England to marry impoverished aristocrats, so they could gain titles, and the titled could boost their dwindling coffers and save their threatened estates. Charlie Spicer snapped up THE HUSBAND HUNTERS from de Courcy’s agent, Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann, and will publish in 2018. Alan Samson of Weidenfeld will publish in the UK in June 2017.

Charles Spicer of St. Martin's says: ‘The minute I read Anne de Courcy's brilliantly researched and witty THE HUSBAND HUNTERS which brings to vivid life the world of Downton Abbey on both sides of the Atlantic, I knew I had to bring it to an American market.’

Anne de Courcy says: ‘I had great fun writing THE HUSBAND HUNTERS, which led me into all sorts of unexplored byways – the most fascinating of which, perhaps, was the realisation that while British nineteenth century society was patriarchal, in that the needs of the male came first every time, contemporary American high society was the opposite – run by women, for women. The care and dedication with which Weidenfeld & Nicolson treat books are rare and important qualities, and I’m thrilled that they are now joined by Charlie Spicer and St. Martin's, who will bring it to a wider US readership. I’m happy that THE HUSBAND HUNTERS is safe in such good transatlantic hands.’

Isobel Dixon says: ‘Anne de Courcy’s meticulous first-hand research and sparkling storytelling make for a richly entertaining group biography that will win her many more fans both sides of the Atlantic. Charlie Spicer has long been an admirer of Anne’s work and I’m delighted that St Martins are joining Weidenfeld & Nicolson in publishing THE HUSBAND HUNTERS now.’

 Anne de Courcy is a best-selling biographer, acclaimed for her first-hand research and engaging books which not only tell the stories of her subjects’ lives, but vividly depict the social history of the period. Her biographies, all of which have been serialised, include THE VICEROY’S DAUGHTERS, DIANA MOSLEY, DEBS AT WAR and SNOWDON. THE FISHING FLEET spent many weeks on the Sunday Times bestseller list. Her most recent book, MARGOT AT WAR: LOVE AND BETRAYAL IN DOWNING STREET, 1912-1916 was shortlisted for the Paddy Power Political Book of the Year Award.

See more on Anne’s website here.

Praise for Anne de Courcy:

 ‘Anne de Courcy combines the perseverance of a social historian with the panache of the novelist’ – The Times

Praise for THE FISHING FLEET:

‘…rich and exhilarating …’ – Lady Antonia Fraser, Mail on Sunday Critics’ Choice, Books of the Year 2012

‘A spirited, highly entertaining book... a sparkling collage of stories and quotations in which we hear the authentic voices of the women and girls she portrays, most of them natural, unaffected writers with sharp eyes, a gift for description and a sense of humour.... brilliantly researched, skilfully constructed and full of delights.’ – Anne Chisholm, The Daily Telegraph

 ‘Fascinating and evocatively told history’ – Financial Times

THE TYPEWRITER'S TALE by Michiel Heyns, published today by St. Martin's Press

THE TYPEWRITER’S TALE by Michiel Heyns is published today in the USA by St. Martin’s Press. When the novel was first released in South Africa, it was shortlisted for both the Commonwealth Prize for African Writers, and the Herman Charles Bosman Prize, SA. It was also featured as a BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime in 2016.

The book has already been receiving pre-publication praise in the USA:

‘Literary history blends masterfully with a plot of intrigue in this slim and delightful novel' - Kirkus Reviews

‘An engaging whodunit atmosphere, in which faithfully re-created real-life individuals mix well with authentically drawn fictitious ones' Starred Booklist

THE TYPEWRITER’S TALE brings to life acclaimed writer Henry James, but the author is not the hero of the piece — the heroine is the wonderful fictional character of his typist, Frieda Wroth.

We discover society in the town of Rye around ‘the Master’, as seen through the cool gaze of his typist, Frieda — a woman stirred by the suffragette movement and her own fledgling passions and ambitions. Admiring of the great author, she nevertheless feels under-valued, as his mere ‘typewriter’. But when the dashing Morton Fullerton comes to visit, Frieda finds herself at the centre of an intrigue every bit as engrossing as the novels she types every day, bringing her into conflict with the flamboyant Edith Wharton, and compromising her loyalty to her employer.

Caught in a complex triangle with urbane, long-winded James, suave, witty Morton Fullerton and voracious, larger-than life Edith Wharton, Frieda tries to obey the Master’s dictum: ‘Live all you can; it’s a mistake not to.’ But living, she finds, exacts a price…

More praise for THE TYPEWRITER’S TALE:

 ‘THE TYPEWRITER’S TALE beams a brilliant light onto the world of Henry James, illuminating the language, manners and social mores of the early twentieth century. This exquisite account of the master and his amanuensis is a tour de force; her story, for all the confines of a typist's life in Rye, a triumph. Heyns is an important figure in South African letters; here, he is profound and humorous. THE TYPEWRITER’S TALE is a breathtaking work and, above all, a pleasure to read.’ – Zoe Wicomb

‘What a great idea!  The master-observer is observed by his stenographer. A delicious treat for Henry James aficionados, and also for those who may never have read a word. Sly, sympathetic, high-minded, involving, moving, funny. I loved it, and was very sorry to reach the last page. But Frieda Wroth and Mr James and the other characters will live on in my mind.’ – Ronald Frame

‘THE TYPEWRITER’S TALE is admirable for its Jamesian inwardness and delicacy. It’s a brilliant idea to explore the typewriter’s view of the great writer she serves and to imagine so plausibly how she is drawn into his world.’ – Lyndall Gordon

‘A hugely refreshing South African novel … Heyns has a knack for building clear, expressive prose like a watchmaker fitting together the workings of a timepiece.’ – Gareth Pike, Sunday Times

Michiel Heyns is a Professor Emeritus of English Literature, prize-winning novelist, translator, and critic. All of his novels have been published in South Africa by Jonathan Ball, who publish I AM PANDARUS in 2017. Freight will publish LOST GROUND in the UK in 2018.

TONY PARK’S THRILLER IVORY PUBLISHED IN THE US BY ST. MARTINS PRESS

Hot on the heels of UK, Australian and South African publication of Australian bestseller Tony Park’s latest thriller, AN EMPTY COAST, his earlier title IVORY is now available for his North American fans, published by St. Martin’s Press.

 Kirkus gave IVORY a Starred Review pre-publication describing it as ‘a fast-moving thriller … The action here is crisp and nearly nonstop. Even when the story looks like it's finally winding down, one last crisis appears. A compelling tale filled with tension, blood, and a disturbing moral question: will humans stop killing Africa's large animals before they become extinct?’

Alex Tremain is a pirate in trouble. The two women in his life – one of them his financial adviser, the other his diesel mechanic – have left him. He’s facing a mounting tide of debts and his crew of modern-day buccaneers, a multi-national band of ex-military cutthroats, are getting restless. They don’t all share his dream of going legit, but what Alex really wants is to re-open the five-star resort hotel which once belonged to his Portuguese mother and English father on the Island of Dreams, off the coast of Mozambique.

A chance raid on a wildlife smugglers’ ship sets the Chinese triads after him and, to add to his woes, corporate lawyer Jane Humphries lands, literally, in his lap. Another woman’s the last thing Captain Tremain needs right now – especially one whose lover is a ruthless shipping magnate backed up by a deadly bunch of contract killers.

What Alex really needs is one last, big heist – something valuable enough to fulfil his dreams and set him and his men up for life. When the South African government makes a controversial decision to reinstitute the culling of elephants in its national parks, Alex finds the answer to his prayers, but at what cost?

Tony Park grew up in Australia and fell in love with South Africa on a short trip in 1995: he and his wife now divide their time between two homes, one in Sydney and another in South Africa on the border of the Kruger National Park. Author of twelve bestselling thrillers, he has worked as a newspaper reporter in Australia and England, a government press secretary, a public relations consultant, and a freelance writer. He is also a major in the Australian Army Reserve and served six months in Afghanistan in 2002. His work has been sold in translation in seven countries and Macmillan UK have recently signed him up for a two-book deal, starting with AN EMPTY COAST.

You can find out more about Tony Park on his website and his Facebook page and you can follow him on Twitter (especially if you want to see some marvellous images of African wildlife) on @tonyparkauthor.

PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR:

‘Park excels at capturing the wilds of the continent, as well as its political and commercial pressures.’ -- Publisher’s Weekly

'An author who is starting to challenge the veteran Wilbur Smith for the title of 'master of the African thriller' -- Geoffrey Wansell, Daily Mail

'Tony Park is one of Australia's best thriller writers and his African-based novels are consistently entertaining and thought-provoking.' -- Canberra Times

'Park's heroes are tough, blokey types – soldiers and coppers - and his heroines sassy and smart, but Africa always steals the show…a great way to spend a winter evening, transported to somewhere warm and exotic.' -- Georgia Gowing, The Independent Weekly

'He just gets better and better. His descriptions of the southern African bush and mountain jungles are so vivid you can just about feel the sun on your skin and smell the dust and animals.' -- Frank Walker, Sun Herald

'If you like action adventures, with a spy theme, some education – either travel or technological - and a little romance, then this guy's for real… What puts this into the top echelon of the genre is that the people, even the heroes, are fallible human beings.' -- June Joyce, Waikato Times