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.”

TRAILER RELEASED FOR SUPERVISED BY ANDY BRIGGS →

Andy Briggs’ new film, SUPERVISED, will be released in select theatres and on demand on the 19th July 2019.

 

Real superheroes get better with age. Tom Berenger and Beau Bridges lead this delightful comedy centered around a group of senior superheroes spending their twilight years in a nursing home in Ireland. When Ray (Berenger) suspects foul play at the nursing home, he reassembles his old team for one last mission, proving that saving the world never gets old.

 

SUPERVISED promises to be a warm and funny subversion of the superhero genre, combining all the eccentricities of the old British retiring home with all the high-flying action you’d expect.

 

Supervised is a Lionsgate film, directed by Steve Barron, and written by Andy Briggs and John Niven.

 

Watch the trailer here, and don’t forget to look out for the release!

Headline pre-empts HERMIT, S.R. White's remarkable crime debut

Blake Friedmann is delighted to announce the acquisition of HERMIT by S.R. White, an extraordinary debut that follows – over a single day ─ the investigation of a murder in a small Australian town.

Editorial Director Toby Jones at Headline bought world rights to HERMIT and a sequel in a pre-emptive deal struck with Hattie Grunewald at Blake Friedmann.  It is set to be a major launch title for Headline in early 2021.

Taking place over just 12 hours, HERMIT sees detective Dana Russo unravel the murder of a local shopkeeper in rural Australia. Dana must interrogate the prime suspect, Nathan Whittler – an almost silent, desperately awkward man who appears to have been living off grid, with no human contact, for fifteen years. Without conclusive forensics linking him to the killing, it’s a race against time to extract a confession. But over a series of seven intense interviews, Dana must herself open up – despite the past traumas it will force her to confront – to persuade Nathan to reveal himself.

Toby Jones said: ‘HERMIT is an astonishing, character-driven debut: compulsive, exquisitely layered, charged with an electric atmosphere. Like the best thrillers, the breathless suspense propels you from page to page while the dazzling, perceptive writing addresses profound questions. Within minutes of starting the novel, we all knew we were in the presence of a major new talent.’

Hattie Grunewald said: ‘It is one of the highest joys in agenting to orchestrate a perfect match between author and publisher, and so I'm thrilled about this deal - the combination of S.R. White’s sharp writing and Toby's passion and enthusiasm is sure to make HERMIT a worldwide success.’

S.R. White said: ‘I'm thrilled to be joining Toby and his team in the publication of HERMIT. Bringing Dana Russo to life has been a labour of love, and I know it's in great hands with Headline. I look forward to sharing Dana with readers.’

S.R. White worked for a UK police force for twelve years, before returning to academic life and taking an MA in Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University. He now lives in Queensland, Australia.

ELIZABETH CHADWICK STRIKES THREE-BOOK DEAL WITH SPHERE

Sphere has acquired three new historical novels by internationally bestselling author Elizabeth Chadwick: two standalone untitled works of fiction and THE COMING OF THE WOLF – a prequel to Elizabeth’s first and bestselling novel THE WILD HUNT.

Viola Hayden, commissioning editor for Sphere Fiction, acquired UK & Commonwealth rights, including Canada, from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann.

The first of the two standalone novels will focus on William Marshal’s granddaughter Joanna, and her controversial marriage to King Henry III’s half-brother William de Valence, while her second will bring to life Eleanor of Castile, wife to Henry III's eldest son Edward.

Elizabeth Chadwick said: I am enormously pleased to be working on this new three book deal with my editor Viola Hayden and the fabulous team at Sphere.  The first novel, set in the thirteenth century, is the story of the remarkable, resourceful Joanna de Munchensey, and the dangers she faced when plucked from obscurity and placed centre stage at the heart of a power struggle that threatened to destroy her entire family.  It happened 700 years ago, but researching this fascinating woman, it became increasingly clear to me how much one society holds up a mirror to the other and that what happened then is happening right now. 

Viola Hayden said: I am thrilled to have three new Elizabeth Chadwick novels on the Sphere Fiction list. Elizabeth is an absolute queen of her genre, and Little, Brown are proud to be the publisher of all of her books. With these new novels I know Elizabeth will continue to do what she does best: uncover little known but fascinating historical figures and bring them back to life with her inimitable mix of impeccable research and captivating storytelling.   

Isobel Dixon said: It’s always exciting to ink a contract for new Elizabeth Chadwick books, awaiting the mix of exhilarating action, intrigue and emotion she delivers through her vivid characters. Her new heroine Joanna de Munchensey is no exception, and her courage in the face of challenge will also speak to contemporary times. I’m thrilled too that Sphere will bring readers a special treat with THE COMING OF THE WOLF, the prequel to THE WILD HUNT – which was one of the very first books I read (and absolutely loved) at Blake Friedmann when I joined (many years ago!).

THE COMING OF THE WOLF will publish in hardback, trade paperback, ebook and audio in August 2020 – thirty years after first publication of THE WILD HUNT – and the subsequent two novels are slated for publication in 2021 and 2023 respectively.

Praise for Elizabeth Chadwick
‘This is historical fiction at its best.’ – The Bookseller

‘An author who makes historical fiction come gloriously alive.’ – The Times

‘Picking up an Elizabeth Chadwick novel is like having a Bentley draw up at your door: you know you are in for a sumptuous ride.’ — Daily Telegraph

‘One of Elizabeth Chadwick’s strengths is her stunning grasp of historical detail…Her characters are beguiling and the story is intriguing and very enjoyable.’ – Barbara Erskine

About the Author
A prize-winning historical novelist and New York Times bestseller, published in 22 languages, with over 1 million copies of her work sold in the UK alone, she regularly features in the UK bestseller lists. She was commissioned to write the novel to tie in to the film FIRST KNIGHT starring Sean Connery and Richard Gere (World: Newmarket Press, NY; sold to 9 languages). Member of the Royal Historical Society, her research is respected by scholars.