Julian Friedmann at the online London Screenwriters' Festival

On Tuesday 2nd at 5pm Julian Friedmann will be on the online London Screenwriters’ Festival Ask the Agent. Many writers see an agent as the Holy Grail. But how much can an agent help a new writer? And how does a writer secure representation? Agent Julian Friedmann is here (via Zoom) to answer your questions about before, during, and after your relationship with your agent.

The London Screenwriters’ Festival is now 365 days of the year online: for only £5 a month you have access to literally hundreds of top writers, producers and directors: there are panel discussions and talks, writers rooms and writers’ cafes; groups of writers interested in particular topics (from pitching to whatever writers want to talk about). Plus some of the best talks given by the biggest talent over the last couple of years.

For more details see https://www.londonscreenwritersfestival.com/whats-on/sessions/

JOSEPH O’CONNOR’S SHADOWPLAY SHORTLISTED FOR NOVEL OF THE YEAR AT THE DALKEY LITERARY AWARDS 2020

We’re delighted to share news of yet more award recognition for Joseph O’Connor as his novel SHADOWPLAY is shortlisted for the inaugural Dalkey Literary Awards Novel of the Year Prize. The awards, sponsored by Zurich Insurance, were to have been the centrepiece of next month’s 10th annual Dalkey Book Festival, but instead they are the only part of it to go ahead.

Joseph O’Connor’s SHADOWPLAY is shortlisted for the €20,000 Novel of the Year prize alongside authors Edna O’Brien, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Jan Carson, Kevin Barry and Mary Costello. Six writers are also shortlisted for the €10,000 Emerging Writers Prize. The winners will be revealed on June 20th when the festival was due to be taking place.

Joseph O’Connor said: ‘I grew up not far from Dalkey, a little coast-town whose celestial writers were known the whole world round. My childhood and teens were blessed by those ghosts, from Castle Street to Coliemore Harbour and the island. For everyone who loves a story, Dalkey’s a special place. To have a novel in contention for this award is a deeply moving honour.’ See more on the Dalkey Literary Awards and Festival in the Irish Times here.

SHADOWPLAY was published by Harvill Secker to rapturous reviews in the UK and Canada in June 2019, with the paperback to be published in October 2020. It was described as a ‘literary highlight of 2019’ by The Sunday Times. 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’.

The superb audio edition, read by Barry McGovern and Anna Chancellor, is released by W.F. Howes in the UK and Dreamscape in the US. 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.

Rights sold in captivating debut novel THE HIERARCHIES by Ros Anderson

North American rights in THE HIERARCHIES, a propulsive debut novel by author Ros Anderson have been snapped up by Lindsey Rose at Dutton from agent Samuel Hodder. THE HIERARCHIES will be a lead title for Dutton in Fall 2020.

With a unique and compelling voice, THE HIERARCHIES is the diary of Sylvi.e, a synthetic woman designed to please and serve her human ‘Husband’ from the moment she comes to life. She lives in a single room at the top of his luxurious home, her existence barely tolerated by his human wife, and concealed from their child. Deeply curious about the world beyond her room, between the Husband’s visits Sylv.ie watches the family through her window, absorbing all she can. She keeps a diary, and through this learns that she cannot rely on her memories, or on what the Husband tells her. When she is taken to the ‘Doll Hospital’ it is not for her benefit, but to be altered. Sylv.ie needs to escape, but what will the world hold for her?

THE HIERARCHIES is a literary and speculative voice-driven novel that asks what it really means to be human. Set in a recognisable near future, and laced with dark, sly humour, THE HIERARCHIES is less about the fear of new technology than humans’ age-old talent for exploitation. From its outsider’s perspective, the novel explores notions of memory, consent, artifice, and ‘femininity’. It asks what it means to be ‘natural’ and celebrates the power of female friendship. Sometimes startling, often moving, and always unforgettable, readers will be gripped by THE HIERARCHIES from its very first page.

It is perfect for fans of Never Let Me Go, I, Westworld, Ex Machina, Black Mirror and The Testaments.                                       

Ros Anderson trained as a dancer but now works as a copywriter and design journalist. She has written for publications including The Guardian, The Independent, and Elle Decoration.

MICHAEL JOSEPH ACQUIRES TWO NOVELS FROM DEBUT AUTHOR LIA MIDDLETON

Michael Joseph has acquired WHEN THEY FIND HER and one other novel by debut author Lia Middleton. Editorial Director Clio Cornish acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, in a major deal, from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann at auction.

WHEN THEY FIND HER is an emotional and nerve-shredding debut about a mother, Naomi, who has lost custody of her young daughter. She is granted permission to have her child back for an overnight stay, but when the night ends in tragedy Naomi makes a split-second decision with huge repercussions. It will be a major launch for Michael Joseph, publishing in Hardback, eBook and Audio in Spring 2021, with a paperback to follow.

Lia Middleton said: ‘I’m ecstatic and honoured to be working with Clio and the team at Michael Joseph. I was blown away by the team’s passion and enthusiasm, and by Clio's vision for the book: it was clear from the moment I spoke to her that Clio was the perfect editor to bring my novel and its characters to the world. I can't wait for readers to discover Naomi and to find themselves thrust into the centre of her dark and complex life.’

Clio Cornish added: ‘I was utterly transfixed by WHEN THEY FIND HER. At once a white-knuckled page-turner and an emotional depiction of motherhood and mental health, it’s fiendishly twisty read with huge depth – not an easy balance to strike. I know Lia has a brilliant career ahead of her, and I’m so excited to be working with her and Kate.’

Kate Burke said: ‘I’m thrilled that this deliciously dark, gripping and topical novel has found such a great publishing home in Penguin and such a visionary editor in Clio.’

About Lia Middleton
Lia Middleton is a barrister who specialises in crime and prison law, and lives with her husband and two young children in Buckinghamshire. You can find her on Twitter @liamiddlet0n and on Instagram @liamiddletonauthor. WHEN THEY FIND HER is her first novel.

MANDALAY, by MiMi Aye, is a finalist for The Guild of Food Writers Awards

MiMi Aye’s cookbook MANDALAY: Recipes and Tales from a Burmese Kitchen, which was published by Bloomsbury Absolute last year, has been made a finalist for the International or Regional Cookbook Award by The Guild of Food Writers.

MANDALAY, which was one of The Financial Times’ Best Books of 2019, pulls the curtain back on Burmese cuisine making it accessible to new audiences. The rich cookbook details traditional Burmese ingredients and techniques, whilst recipes are brought to life by stories from Aye’s experiences in Burma and her personal family history.

One of the judges praised MANDALAY for offering ‘an evocative snapshot of Burmese culture and cuisine,’ whilst another commented that it is ‘a great read, her recipes all sound and looked delicious’. The book was also described as ‘a cracking cookbook that I’ll be using for years to come.’

The winners of the awards will be announced on 16th June, on The Guild of Food Writers’ Instagram feed: @thegfw

Praise for MANDALAY:

'MiMi Aye's new book is a readable, personal collection... Enlivened with family snaps and beautiful photography, it's a brilliant introduction to Myanmar's food culture.' — Delicious Magazine, Hot New Cookbooks

‘There is so much to love in MiMi Aye’s wonderful MANDALAY: RECIPES & TALES FROM A BURMESE KITCHEN but, even before I got on to the recipes, I felt that a book that told me that in Burma people greet each other by asking whether they’ve eaten yet, belonged in my life… I am so grateful to Mimi Aye for a really loving and hungry-making introduction to a fascinating cuisine.’ — Nigella Lawson

‘It’s rare to come across a book that opens up a largely unknown cuisine, but MANDALAY does exactly that. Burmese recipes that combine the deliverable with the authentic, written with calm authority leavened with personal touches from an engaging personality.’ — Tim Hayward, Financial Times, Best Books of
2019

‘Aye is a gifted recipe writer and opinionated champion of the food of her family (see, for instance, the short section on “Why MSG is A-OK”). This is a book to read as well as cook from, packed with evocative imagery.’ — The Observer, The 20 best food book of 2019

‘The book that opened my mind, and belly, to Burmese food, a cuisine I knew little about. Aye is the most beguiling of guides, weaving in tales of Burmese family and childhood travels, alongside recipes for mohinga
and pickled tea-leaf salad.’ — Tom Parker Bowles, Daily Mail, Books of the Year 2019

‘Wonderful… The perfect introduction to a cuisine that draws from its neighbours in Thailand, India and China while making dishes that are quite unique. MiMi gives detailed descriptions of ingredients, techniques
and recipes - giving the home cook all the tools, tips and - most of all - inspiration to make these dishes themselves.’ — Hot Dinners, The best cookbooks for Christmas presents in 2019

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

British-born to Burmese parents, MiMi Aye has spent herwhole life soaking up Burmese food, language, and culture through endless trips to see family and friends in Burma, as well as back at home. A passionate
advocate for Burmese cuisine, she is the writer of www.meemalee.com, founder of supper club and community, Burmese Food and Beyond, and author of NOODLE! 100 Great Recipes (Absolute Press). Her second book, MANDALAY: Recipes and Tales from a Burmese Kitchen, was published by Bloomsbury Absolute in June 2019.