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

JOSEPH O’CONNOR’S SHADOWPLAY SHORTLISTED FOR WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION AND THE JEAN MONNET PRIZE

Joseph O’Connor’s wonderful novel SHADOWPLAY has been shortlisted for two awards in recent weeks: The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction in the UK and the Jean Monnet Prize in France. The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction rewards writing of exceptional quality set in the past, whilst the Jean Monnet Prize celebrates work translated or written in French in the past year. The Jean Monnet Prize will be announced at the LEC festival on 21 November 2020; the date of the prize ceremony for The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction is still to be confirmed.

Harvill Secker published SHADOWPLAY in the UK and Canada in June 2019, with a paperback to be published in May 2020, and Editions Rivages published in France. It was described as a ‘literary highlight of 2019’ by The Sunday Times and has received rapturous reviews. Le Monde called it ‘mesmerising’ and Le Figaro described it as ‘an ensemble masterpiece with glorious resonances.’ Europa will publish in June 2020 in the US, where the novel has received starred previews in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, which described it as ‘an authentic and deeply moving literary experience’. In the UK, W.F. Howes published the audio edition, read by Barry McGovern and Anna Chancellor, and Dreamscape will publish the US audio edition. Rights have been sold in eight translation markets so far: China (Shanghai Elegant People), Croatia (Fraktura), France (Editions Rivages), Hungary (Helikon), Italy (Guanda), Serbia (Carobna Knjiga), Sweden (Natur Och Kultur) and Turkey (Sia Kitap). A film deal is under negotiation.

1878: The Lyceum Theatre, London. Three extraordinary people begin their life together, a life that will be full of drama, transformation, passionate and painful devotion to art and to one another. Henry Irving, the Chief, is the volcanic leading man and impresario; Ellen Terry is the most lauded and desired actress of her generation, outspoken and generous of heart; and ever following along behind them in the shadows is the unremarkable theatre manager, Bram Stoker.

Fresh from life in Dublin as a clerk, Bram may seem the least colourful of the trio, but he is wrestling with dark demons in a new city, in a new marriage, and with his own literary aspirations. As he walks the London streets at night, streets haunted by the Ripper and the gossip which swirls around his friend Oscar Wilde, he finds new inspiration. But the Chief is determined that nothing will get in the way of his manager’s devotion to the Lyceum and to himself. And both men are enchanted by the beauty and boldness of the elusive Ellen.

SHADOWPLAY explores the complexities of love that stands dangerously outside social convention, the restlessness of creativity, and the experiences that led to Dracula, the most iconic supernatural tale of all time.

Praise for Joseph O’Connor and SHADOWPLAY:
‘There are few living writers who can take us back in time so assuredly, with such sensual density, through such gorgeous sentences. Joseph O’Connor is a wonder, and SHADOWPLAY is a triumph.’ – Peter Carey

‘As much as this is a hugely entertaining book about the grand scope of friendship and love, it is also, movingly – at times, agonisingly – a story of transience, loss and true loyalty.’ – Sadie Jones, The Guardian

‘Joseph O’Connor is a very great artist and storyteller. The quotient of enjoyment in his extraordinary new novel is stupendous.’ – Sebastian Barry

‘Wonderful. The writing is beautiful.’ – Derek Jacobi

‘A hugely entertaining and atmospheric novel, one can almost smell the greasepaint.’ – Deborah Moggach

‘Seriously fascinating’ – Colm Tóibín, The Observer

‘A virtuoso act of literary ventriloquism. SHADOWPLAY is funny, smart, tender, wise and written with inch-perfect precision.’ – Colum McCann

‘A great writer performing Olympian literary storytelling.’ — Bob Geldof

About the Author
Joseph O’Connor was born in Dublin. His books include nine novels: COWBOYS AND INDIANS (Whitbread Prize shortlist), DESPERADOES, THE SALESMAN, INISHOWEN, STAR OF THE SEA (American Library Association Award, Irish Post Award for Fiction, France’s Prix Millepages, Italy’s Premio Acerbi, Prix Madeleine Zepter for European novel of the year), REDEMPTION FALLS, GHOST LIGHT (Dublin One City One Book Novel 2011), THE THRILL OF IT ALL and SHADOWPLAY. His work has been published in forty languages. He received the 2012 Irish PEN Award for outstanding achievement in literature and in 2014 he was appointed Frank McCourt Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Limerick.

Visit Joseph O’Connor’s website

Titan Books acquire THE BOOK OF MALACHI by T. C. Farren

Sophie Robinson at Titan Books has acquired WEL rights (excluding South Africa) in T. C. Farren’s THE BOOK OF MALACHI from Isobel Dixon at Blake Friedmann. In this page-turning yet moving high-concept thriller, a mute survivor of civil war must confront the horrors of organ farming on a deep-sea oilrig. THE BOOK OF MALACHI has been published by Kwela in South Africa, where the Cape Times described it as ‘utterly brilliant’ and the Sunday Times said the novel ‘will have you ripping through the pages. A film deal is also under negotiation. Part thriller, part horror, part speculative fiction, this gripping read goes to the heart of ethical quandaries, forcing the reader to ask: "What if it were me?"’

Malachi Dakwaa has survived civil war but is mute, his tongue cut out. Disengaged from the world, he's performing mind-numbing work as a factory slave when he gets an extraordinary job offer he can't refuse. In exchange for six months as warden on a top-secret organ-farming project, Frasier Pharmaceuticals will graft a new tongue for him. Far out to sea, Malachi finds himself among warlords and mass murderers of the kind who have ruined him. But are the prisoners as evil as Frasier says? Do they deserve their fate?

As doubt starts to grow, Malachi’s own memories rise until he must make a terrible choice. To remain silent and let them suffer, or risk his life to set them free. 

Malachi may have no tongue, but his is a voice you will never forget – sharply ironic, vividly descriptive and leavened with humour, every sense sharpened by his loss of speech. He is a compelling guide through the twists and turns of a terrible dilemma, in this darkly gripping but ultimately redemptive novel.

Sophie Robinson said: ‘T.C. Farren is a true wordsmith. Each carefully chosen line sings off the page to create one of the most compelling and profoundly moving characters I've ever encountered. THE BOOK OF MALACHI is frightening, full of the darkest elements of humanity, but still manages to shine a light on empathy and real human connection. I'm so thrilled to welcome T.C. Farren and THE BOOK OF MALACHI to Titan Books. I can't wait to share this extraordinary book with readers around the world.’

T. C. Farren said: ‘This is a beautiful match between an unusual character and a publisher unafraid of a mysterious future. Malachi is physically unable to speak, but Titan is to fly his words across the Atlantic this year. Thank you, Titan. I'm delighted.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘T.C. Farren has a gift for the voices of her characters – often troubled, at the fringes of society, but courageous and unforgettable. From the first page on which I encountered Malachi, I knew his story would grip many readers with its searing questions and its ultimate sense of redemption and humanity. I’m delighted that Titan will be publishing in the UK and US later this year.’

Praise for THE BOOK OF MALACHI

‘Farren is an exceptional writer, one of the best I’ve encountered, and not just in this country. By the time the novel ended, I was bereft, missing the characters and the setting as if I’d spent real time in an actual place. I can’t recommend this powerful novel highly enough.’ — Janet van Eeden Harrison, LitNet

‘Her descriptive powers are faultless, but more than that her understanding and exposition of what it is to be human, even in a broken form is magical… Sheer genius … Utterly brilliant.’ — Jennifer Crocker, Cape Times

‘Will have you ripping through the pages. Part thriller, part horror, part speculative fiction: this gripping read goes to the heart of ethical quandaries, forcing the reader to ask: "What if it were me?"’ — Sunday Times (SA)

‘An extraordinary, moving story that I read sometimes through the gaps in my fingers, like peeking at a horror movie — but one with hope and some exquisite visuals.’ — Country Life

T.C. Farren is a prize-winning novelist and scriptwriter, based in Cape Town. Her first novel, WHIPLASH won both humanitarian and literary awards. Her screenplay adaptation gave rise to the feature film, TESS, which won numerous awards, including a prestigious screenwriting nomination. She also adapted her highly acclaimed second novel, SNAKE to a screenplay which has won production funding and is due to be produced soon. HOTEL NOWHERE, T.C. Farren’s drug trafficking thriller script has recently been selected for development. 

LYNDALL GORDON’S OUTSIDERS SHORTLISTED FOR THE PROSE AWARD IN LITERATURE

We are delighted to announce that Lyndall Gordon’s OUTSIDERS: Five Women Writers Who Changed the World has been shortlisted for the 2020 Professional and Scholarly Excellence Award in Literature. The award, organised by The Association of American Publishers (AAP), honours scholarly works published in 2019. Winners of each subject category will then go on to compete for an Excellence Award. One of the five Excellence Award winners will receive the prestigious R. R. Hawkins Award. 

OUTSIDERS is published in the US by Johns Hopkins University Press Books and in the UK by Virago. It has just been published in Spain by Alba and will be published in China by Shanghai Literature & Art Publishing House. In OUTSIDERS, Lyndall Gordon tells the stories of five novelists – Mary Shelley, Emily Brontë, George Eliot, Olive Schreiner, Virginia Woolf – and their famous novels. We have long known their individual greatness but in linking their creativity to their lives as outsiders, this group biography throws new light on the genius they share. 'Outsider', 'outlaw', 'outcast': a woman's reputation was her security and each of these five lost it. As writers, they made these identities their own, taking advantage of their separation from the dominant order to write their novels.

All five were motherless. With no female model at hand, they learnt from books; and if lucky, from an enlightened man; and crucially each had to imagine what a woman could be in order to invent a voice of their own. They understood female desire: the passion and sexual bravery in their own lives infused their fictions. What they have in common also is the way they inform one another, and us, across the generations.

Lyndall Gordon’s biographies have always shown the indelible connection between life and art: an intuitive, exciting and revealing approach that has been highly praised and much read and enjoyed.

A much-celebrated biographer, Lyndall Gordon lives in Oxford. She has won the Cheltenham Prize and the James Tait Black prize, been longlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, and shortlisted for the Comisso Prize in Italy for Fazi’s edition of LIVES LIKE LOADED GUNS.

Lyndall Gordon is a world-leading expert on T.S. Eliot and in addition to THE IMPERFECT LIFE OF T.S. ELIOT is now writing ELIOT AMONG THE WOMEN for publication by Virago (UK) and Norton (US) in 2022. See more here.

Praise for Lyndall Gordon

'Lyndall Gordon's biographies are characterised by an almost preternatural sensitivity to the inner lives of her subjects...' – Frances Wilson, Mail on Sunday

‘Gordon is a sympathetic but also a sharp-eyed biographer.’ – Telegraph

‘A biographer with soul, she reaches into the hearts of those she brings alive for us. She makes the meaning of their lives sing and sweat as she invites us into their experiences, their longings, their struggles and their disappointments.’ – Susie Orbach, The Observer

‘Gordon, a... superb literary biographer who has previously turned her level yet lyrical gaze to Virginia Woolf, Charlotte Brontë, Mary Wollstonecraft and others.’ – Seattle Times

‘Gordon is one of the best biographers writing today.’ – Catherine Hollis, Sacramento Book Review

‘A gifted storyteller.’ – Carmela Ciuraru, Miami Herald

‘Gordon’s approach to biography is imaginative and risky…The result is a magnificent, important book, which points the way forward for the whole biographical genre’ – Kathryn Hughes, Literary Review

‘We are in the presence of a committed biographer in whom the amalgamation of passion and sympathy finds memorable expression.’ – Adrian Wright, London Magazine

‘The tedious question thrown at biographers – “Do we need another book about…?” – is demolished by Lyndall Gordon’s adventurous scholarship.’ – Brenda Maddox, Washington Post Book World

Visit Lyndall Gordon’s website.

More Accolades for Harry McCoy Series by Alan Parks

BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER, the third title in the 1970s Glasgow-set Detective Harry McCoy series by Alan Parks, has been picked as a Times Crime Book of the Month. FEBRUARY’S SON meanwhile, just out in paperback, has been nominated for an Edgar Award in the category of Best Paperback Original.

The Edgar Awards honour the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and television, and will be presented on 30 April 2020 in New York. FEBRUARY’S SON, the second in the Harry McCoy series, was published in the US by Europa Editions and in the UK by Canongate in 2019. Translation rights have been sold in six languages so far: German (Heyne), French (Editions Rivages), Italian (Bompiani), Spanish (Tusquets), Catalan (La Galera), and Swedish (Modernista). 

BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER, will be published in hardback by Canongate on 5 March and was picked as a NetGalley UK Book of the Month, as well as garnering a second Times Crime Book of the Month accolade.

‘BOBBY MARCH WILL LIVE FOREVER is even better than its predecessors,’ writes Mark Sanderson in The Times: ‘As its plot twists and turns, provoking laughter and tears, it highlights the sexism and corruption of the period. Glasgow, reeking of “hot asphalt and drains and bins gone over in the heat”, is as fascinating and dangerous as Harry’s best pal, the gangster Stevie Cooper. Alan Parks has clearly studied the masters of tartan noir (William McIlvanney, Denise Mina, Ian Rankin), but has his own voice. He shows how, among the welter of violence, a spontaneous act of kindness can have just as great an impact.’

Alan Parks is now writing the fourth Harry McCoy title. See more on the series here.


Praise for the Harry McCoy series

‘McCoy is so noir he makes most other Scottish cops seem light grey.’ — The Times

‘A riveting book, begging to be read in as few sittings as possible… The macabre and morally ambivalent FEBRUARY’S SON is not one that will be quickly or easily forgotten.’ — The National

‘A riveting journey through the grim and gritty dark side of 1970s Glasgow… A powerful slab of tartan noir.’ — Herald

‘Pitch-black tartan noir, set in Seventies Glasgow… Compelling… With an emotional heart that's hard to ignore.’ — Daily Mail

‘Excellent… Full of surprises, streaked with compassion… McCoy and Cooper… make one hell of a damaged duo. Their fascinating relationship provides the real intrigue.’ — Evening Standard

‘The no-holds-barred action and dialogue smack you in the face like a Glasgow kiss. Cracking.’ — The Sun


Alan Parks has worked in the music industry for over twenty years. His debut novel BLOODY JANUARY was shortlisted for the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière. He lives and works in Glasgow.

Follow Alan on Twitter