C. K. McDonnell releases The Stranger Times sequel, This Charming Man

The next instalment in C. K. McDonnell’s urban fantasy series, The Stranger Times, has hit shelves. This Charming Man, published by Bantam Press, reunites readers with the staff of Manchester’s most unusual newspaper as they reckon with vampires, kidnapping and precarious plumbing.

To celebrate publication, Caimh (writing as C. K. McDonnell) has been travelling throughout the UK, visiting Waterstones stores and signing copies of both books in the series. He was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Loose Ends’ programme, speaking about his writing, the future of The Stranger Times and lots more (listen from 34:40).

Caimh also spoke to Starburst Magazine to mark the publication of This Charming Man: ‘I’m still discovering things. The great thing with fantasy is you can keep building out, there’s so much mythology you can use. And my books exist in a world where all films and books exist, such as vampires and zombies, so that’s fun to play with.’

The Sanatorium hits 500,000 copy milestone

Just one year after publication, The Sanatorium by debut author Sarah Pearse has now sold over 500,000 copies in the English language worldwide. A terrific start to 2022!

Sarah’s next novel, The Retreat, picks up from where The Sanatorium ended and will be published in July of this year.

Pamela Dorman Books lands North American rights for Bea Setton’s debut

North American rights to Bea Setton’s debut novel, Berlin, have been acquired by Jeramie Orton at Pamela Dorman Books, from Penguin Random House UK on behalf of Johnson & Alcock. For readers of Ottessa Moshfegh, Elif Batuman and Raven Leilani, the novel follows 26-year-old Daphne who, in the grip of an existential malaise, moves to Berlin for a fresh start. But far from resolving her quarter-life-crisis, she navigates a range of challenges – grappling with a new language, acquiring friends, building a life for herself – as well as wrestling with the demons that seem to have followed her across Europe. In the UK, Doubleday will publish in hardback in July 2022, with the US edition to follow in 2023.

Hannah King to take part in Aberdeen’s Crime Writing Festival panel

Debut novelist Hannah King is set to feature as part of the line-up for the Granite Noir: Bold New Voices panel, taking place on February 26th at the Aberdeen Crime Writing Festival. King’s first novel, She and I, was published by Raven Books in January of this year and examines the intense dynamic between best friends Keeley and Jude, whose relationship is thrown into turmoil when they wake up next to the dead body of Keeley’s boyfriend. Deciding together the story they’ll tell the police, their claustrophobic friendship comes under increased scrutiny as the murder investigation progresses, forcing them to question if there's ever such a thing as sharing too much.

Drawing on themes of mental health, class, relationships, addiction and, of course, murder, Hannah’s dark and provocative storytelling makes her a perfect fit for Granite Noir. She will be joined on the Bold New Voices panel by Graeme Armstrong and Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.

Granite Noir aims to celebrate the ubiquitous popularity of crime fiction in all its many forms, framed by the atmospheric and eclectic surroundings of historic Aberdeen. Authors and participants are welcomed from far and wide to both celebrate and explore 'the darkness within and around us.' For more information and details on how to get tickets, please visit the Aberdeen Performing Arts website.

Cover reveal for The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by debut author Shauna Lawless

The beautiful cover for The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, written by Shauna Lawless, has been revealed by Head of Zeus.

Due to publish in the UK and US in September this year, Lawless’ debut tells the story of Gormflaith, the young widow of The Viking King of Dublin. Gormflaith has ambitions for her son, and herself, but Ireland is a dangerous place to be in 981 AD. Gormflaith is also hiding a secret; she is one of the Fomorians, an immortal race who can perform fire-magic. She has kept her powers hidden at all costs, for there are other immortals in this world – like the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of warriors who are sworn to hunt and kill Fomorians.

Fódla is one of the Tuatha Dé Danann with the gift of healing, who dwell in a hidden fortress and are forbidden to live amongst mortals. Fódla agrees to help her kin by leaving to spy on Brian Boru, a powerful man who desires to be High King of Ireland. She finds a land on the brink of war – a war she is desperate to avoid. However, preventing the loss of mortal lives is not easy with Ireland in turmoil and the Fomorians now on the rise. . .

‘Highlander meets The Last Kingdom in this assured and captivating debut. . . I was hooked from page one,’ said Anthony Ryan, author of the Raven's Shadow trilogy and Seven Swords series.

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men is set to be the first in a gripping new historical fantasy series that intertwines Irish mythology with real-life history.

Thomas & Mercer acquire Dublin drag mystery series by debut novelist Kitty Murphy in two book deal

Hannah Bond at Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, has obtained world English language rights to the first two books in the Dublin Drag Mystery Series by debut novelist Kitty Murphy, from Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock. The first book, Death in Heels, will be published in November 2022, with the sequel following in 2023. Leodora Darlington, editor at Amazon Publishing, will work on the series, and translation rights will be handled by J&A’s Hélène Butler.

The mystery series centres around a fictional Dublin drag club called TRASH, populated by a diverse and colourful group of performers. After one of the queens is found dead outside the club, and with no interest from the Gardaí, it is left to Fi and her best friend Mae B to investigate.

Death in Heels brings to life the glamour, energy and excitement of the Dublin drag scene, which Kitty Murphy has been immersed in for many decades. Currently based on the westerly edge of County Clare, Kitty divided her youth equally between the crime section of the library and the LGBTQ+ scene. It was only a matter of time before both worlds collided in a flurry of fictional sequins.

Acquiring editor Leodora Darlington said, ‘Kitty’s gripping new mystery series is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just filled with death, but life, too. You just can’t help but fall in love with its incredible cast of characters as you tear through the pages, waiting for the killer to be unmasked. I absolutely can’t wait for readers to fall in love with this cracking book as much as I have!’

‘Kitty writes with energy and passion about the things she loves in life, and Death in Heels combines all of them,’ said agent Ed Wilson. ‘It is quite a ride. She wants to do for the Dublin drag scene what Richard Osman did for plucky pensioners.’

Kitty Murphy said, ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with Hannah, Leodora and the whole Thomas & Mercer team. I can’t wait for readers to meet the crew at TRASH: Thora Point, Mae B, Miss Merkin, Del Peen, and Fi.’

‘I’m really excited to be welcoming a voice as fresh and original as Kitty’s to the Thomas & Mercer list,’ added Mouncif Faqir of Amazon Books Europe. ‘This new series is a very exciting acquisition for us and I’m delighted we have the privilege of publishing it.’

Read Kitty’s article for The Bookseller on the importance of bi-visibility in publishing.

Robert Thorogood named first recipient of the Listening Books Members' Choice Award

A winning start to the year for The Marlow Murder Club! Robert Thorogood’s mystery novel has been named the Listening Books Members’ top pick for their very first award. Members were given the opportunity to choose their favourite audiobook of the 2021 with the most listens, from a shortlist which also featured popular authors Kazuo Ishiguro, Alison Weir and Susan Lewis.

Listening Books is a lending charity, providing audiobooks for those whose ability to read is hampered by illness or disability. Membership and PR manager, Louise Barling, said, ‘Here at Listening Books, we wanted to launch this award to give a voice to our members, and to celebrate some of the best audiobooks and authors in the business. The voting was very close, but our members made their decision, and we are delighted for Robert. We look forward to running this event each year – a great new addition to the already fantastic awards out there.’

The charity’s inaugural award was presented online by Listening Books’ patron Stephen Fry. ‘I'm hugely grateful and honoured to win,’ said Robert. ‘It's the most wonderful start to 2022 for me.’

The sequel to The Marlow Murder Club, Death Comes to Marlow, will be published in January 2023.

Sarah Pearse a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller

We are delighted to see Sarah Pearse topping the Sunday Times bestseller list for a second week in a row, having entered the chart at No. 8 within a week of her international bestseller The Sanatorium being released in paperback.

The novel, Sarah’s debut, was published in hardback in February 2020 and became an instant bestseller in the UK and US, with translation rights selling in 27 territories to date and Film/TV rights optioned. The paperback edition is also Waterstones Thriller of the Month for January. 

Sarah has just returned from a multi-city tour to sign copies. Her next novel, The Retreat, follows on from where The Sanatorium left off and will be published in July 2022.

Transworld lands 'myth-busting' book on DNA by Professor Turi King

Transworld has landed a ‘myth-busting’ book about DNA by Professor Turi King, best known for her work identifying Richard III from the remains discovered under a Leicester city car park. 

Susanna Wadeson, publisher, bought UK and Commonwealth rights, including Canada, to DNA: Why Genetics Matters from Michael Alcock at Johnson & Alcock. It will be published by Doubleday in spring 2024. Canadian rights have been snapped up by Amy Black at Doubleday Canada. 

The publisher said the book will ‘provide a window into the world of modern genetics, showing how it informs so many areas of 21st-Century life.’ It will go through 12 key cases that have changed the world, from the first DNA fingerprinting case which saw a young boy being reunited with his family after it was torn apart by immigration officials to the 2018 Golden State Killer case which has opened the floodgates for police cold cases.

Professor King said: ‘My field of genetics forms a part of our everyday culture from regular storylines in films and television shows, to modern policing and even to being a part of dating sites. I’m fascinated by the societal interest in genetics and how the understanding, and misunderstanding, of genetics became so commonplace. I’m rather passionate about science communication and can’t wait to explain modern genetics and how it informs our daily lives in the 21st Century.’

Wadeson added: ‘I am so excited to be working with Turi. This book will be fascinating to anyone interested in genetics but also archaeology, general history, geography and forensics; and, of course, in personal and family history. I think perhaps I’m particularly intrigued by the new science of epigenetics. It may not just be their genetic code that our parents pass on to us – their life events can also have an impact on our life span. Turi promises to take us on an investigative journey through all aspects of her work and I can’t wait to travel with her.’

Black commented: ‘We are thrilled to be bringing to Canadian readers Turi King’s riveting book about the multitude of ways genetics has a bearing on our world. Turi’s deep expertise on modern genetics as well as her uncommon ability to make complex, wide-ranging subject matter accessible to us all will combine into a fascinating, enlivening account that is sure to claim a broad readership.’

Sue Black wins CWA Dagger Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction

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Our congratulations to Sue Black for winning the ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction at this year’s Crime Writers’ Association Awards, for her book Written in Bone, published by Doubleday.

 The shortlist of six also included

 We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper (William Heinemann)

These Are Not Gentle People by Andrew Harding (MacLehose, Quercus)

Dancing with the Octopus by Debora Harding (Profile Books)

The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes (Bloomsbury)

Agent Sonya by Ben MacIntyre (Viking)

 For the CWA website announcement featuring these books, the long list and the judges, see

ALCS Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction — The Crime Writers' Association (thecwa.co.uk)

Interview with Hany Sheikh Mohamed, our first Page One mentee

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Hany, can you tell us what you’ve been up to since you did the Page One scheme last year?  

After the Page One scheme, I managed to get a temporary Rights Assistant role at HarperCollins. As there was an opening for a permanent position as a Rights Assistant in the Adult Non-fiction side of the department, I applied and got the job.

Congratulations! And do you think the Page One mentorship helped you get ahead?

Yes, definitely! It gave me a great introduction to publishing! I didn’t know much about publishing before, so partaking in this scheme was a really great start. I was really interested in the whole process of publishing a book and this scheme was able to give me a greater understanding. As I was interested in rights, my mentor Hélène was able to give me real insight into what a rights person does, from looking at contracts, understanding the terms to how negotiation happens. The workshops really helped me understand some of the things I would be doing as a rights person. Being able to meet real publishing professionals also was great! I also enjoyed speaking to all the primary agents and learning about what they do on a day-to-day basis.

What does your current job involve?  What’s a typical day and what do you like most about it?

I’m now a rights assistant supporting the Rights Director and Head of Rights at HarperCollins. My role is very much admin heavy. On a typical day, I liaise with colleagues in contracts, editorial and production in order to support all aspects of a deal. I also liaise with different foreign publishers, draft contracts, do data entry and attend meetings. I love how in my role I get to liaise with many different foreign publishers and learn about what people like to read in different countries. In addition, I get to deal with such a wide variety of books from non-fiction titles to the occasional fiction title and the wonderful Tolkien series.

And finally, what words of advice do you have for people thinking about working in publishing?

Do it! Try to find out about the many different roles available and then decide which one you can see yourself in. Shoot publishing people a message on LinkedIn, Twitter, or on email, if you can find their email address, and ask them about what they do and how they got there. They might even be willing to do a virtual coffee zoom!  Networking helped me tremendously! Network across, where possible, with other people at a junior level and in the roles you’re applying for.

When it comes to applying for publishing jobs, do your research. Understanding the types of books you’ll be working on is really important, whether it is from an editorial, marketing, publicity or rights perspective. Try to learn as much as you can about the book market. You can’t possibly read every book that’s published but by diversifying your reading list and reading widely, you should be able to get a good understanding of the book market. The Amazon top 100 list is also very useful, so check it regularly! Trends are a thing, so the more you’re aware of them, the more you’ll be able to talk about them in your interview.

You can follow Hany here: https://twitter.com/Bookfairyx

For the next page one scheme please keep an eye on http://www.johnsonandalcock.co.uk/page-one

Avalon signs Caimh McDonnell's 'Dublin Trilogy' for TV - Chris Addison attached

The rights to Caimh McDonnell’s The Dublin Trilogy and the Bunny McGarry novels have been acquired by Avalon. The deal was done via Caimh’s agents, Ed Wilson of Johnson & Alcock and Emily Hayward-Whitlock of The Artists Partnership.

Comedian, writer, actor and director Chris Addison (Breeders, Veep), who is a fan of McDonnell’s books, is attached to develop the trilogy.

The series, which has sold over 500,000 books, comprises A Man with One of Those Faces, The Day That Never Comes, and Last Orders, all of which were bestsellers on Amazon. The trilogy has a prequel, Angels in the Moonlight and a sequel to this book, Dead Man’s Sins, which will be published 15 June 2021, thus extending the trilogy to five books. The books, which are set in McDonnell’s hometown of Dublin, follow the adventures of an unlikely crime-solving trio, including former guard Bunny McGarry.

Caimh McDonnell said: “I’m thrilled to be working with both Avalon and Chris. Breeders, which they made for Sky, is one of my favourite shows of the past few years and Taskmaster got me through at least one of the lockdowns. I’m particularly delighted to be working with Chris as we’re both grizzled veterans of the comedy circuit and I’ve long been a big fan of his brilliant live shows. I know Bunny and the rest of the gang are in very safe hands.”

Avalon’s television shows include Breeders, Starstruck, Catastrophe, Taskmaster, The Russell Howard Hour, Not Going Out, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, Spitting Image, Everything’s Gonna Be Okay and Workaholics.

Born in Limerick, raised in Dublin and now living in Manchester, Caimh McDonnell is a former stand-up comedian and TV writer. He became known as the white-haired Irishman whose name nobody could pronounce on the UK comedy circuit. He performed around the world, had several well- received Edinburgh shows and supported acts such as Sarah Millican and Gary Delaney on tour before hanging up his clowning shoes to concentrate on writing. He has also written for numerous TV shows and been nominated for a Children’s TV BAFTA.

His debut novel, A Man with One of Those Faces – a comic crime novel – was published in 2016 and spawned the Dublin Trilogy books and the spin-off McGarry Stateside series. They have all been Amazon bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic. Caimh is also the author of The Stranger Times which is written under his pen name C K McDonnell. Visit whitehairedirishman.com for more information.

Life peerage awarded to Dame Sue Black

We are thrilled to congratulate our client Professor Dame Sue Black on being awarded a life peerage.  She is one of the world’s foremost anatomists and forensic anthropologists, whose work has been recognised internationally, particularly in the fields of war crimes investigations, mass fatality incidents and forensic casework. 

Her nomination as a crossbench peer was announced in February and she was introduced to the House of Lords on May 17th. 

Baroness Black of Strome is the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engagement at Lancaster University, after thirteen years as Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology at Dundee University, and she is President of the Royal Anthropological Institute. 

She has authored many specialist academic works and textbooks, and for the general reader her books All That Remains: A Life in Death (2018) and Written in Bone: Hidden Stories in What We Leave Behind (2020) have been published across the world in many languages, and to universal acclaim.

RJ Barker’s Forsaken Trilogy goes to Orbit

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Orbit has acquired a new trilogy from the British Fantasy Society Award-winning RJ Barker.

Ed Wilson at Johnson and Alcock sold World English rights to Senior Commissioning Editor Jenni Hill at Orbit UK, who will publish alongside sister imprint Orbit US in a co-ordinated global release in 2022.

RJ Barker lives in Leeds with his wife, son and ‘a collection of questionable taxidermy’. He debuted in 2017 with the fantasy novel Age of Assassins, the start of a trilogy which was shortlisted for the Gemmell Awards, the Kitschie Awards, The Compton Crook and the British Fantasy Society’s Best Debut.

The Bone Ships began a new series set on the high seas, and won the British Fantasy Society Award for Best Fantasy Novel, aka the Robert Holdstock Award, this year.

RJ will set his new tale within the bounds of a forest straight out of darkest folklore – with outlaws fighting an evil empire and warring deities.

Acquiring editor Jenni Hill said: ‘RJ’s style is inimitable and wonderful – more and more readers are discovering him every day, and they’re going to love the story he’s telling in the Forsaken series, which is bigger and darker and more feral than anything he’s told before.’

Ed Wilson said: ‘RJ has already taken us from the Sour Lands to the High Seas, and now we’re heading into the Woods. His writing is brave and unexpected, and there is nobody in UK fantasy pushing more boundaries. After his well-deserved BFS win, nothing can hold him back. Although we might have to confiscate his PS4.’

RJ said: ‘I've loved working with Orbit on both the Wounded Kingdom series and the Tide Child series and they've been hugely encouraging in what I do, so I can't wait to venture into the dark forests with them on this new series of books.’

For more information contact Orbit’s Senior Press Officer Nazia.Khatun@littlebrown.co.uk

About Orbit UK: Orbit is the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Little, Brown Book Group. Launched in 1974, it is one of the leading SFF imprints in the UK. Orbit UK authors include Sunday Times and international bestsellers James S. A. Corey, N. K. Jemisin, Robert Jordan, Iain M. Banks, Terry Brooks, Jim Butcher, Trudi Canavan, M. R. Carey, Ann Leckie, Anthony Ryan and Brent Weeks.

HQ sign Nilopar Uddin's debut novel

HQ has signed The Halfways, a “very special” debut family drama from Nilopar Uddin.

Publishing director Manpreet Grewal acquired world all-language rights from Anna Power at Johnson & Alcock in a two-book deal. The Halfways will be published in hardback, trade paperback, e-book and audio in summer 2022.

Its synopsis states: “The Halfways is an epic family drama about two sisters, Nasrin and Sabrina. When their father Shamsur suddenly dies, they rush to be with their mother at the family home and restaurant in Wales, but reluctantly step back into the stifling world of their childhood. When Shamsur’s will is read to the gathered family, a devastating secret is revealed that profoundly changes the lives and identities of the sisters, and creates an irreparable family rift. Moving between London, Wales, New York and Bangladesh, this sweeping novel spans over four decades.”

Uddin was born in Shropshire to Sylheti parents, who like the fictional family in The Halfways, owned and ran an Indian restaurant in Wales. She has had a successful career as a financial services lawyer, practising in both London and New York. She now lives in London and has an MA in creative writing from City University, where she first started working on The Halfways.

She said: “I'm so delighted to be working with the HQ team on the publication of The Halfways. I've been overwhelmed by Manpreet's enthusiasm for these characters, who have lived with me for the last six years, and am very excited to have the opportunity to work with her. I'm also extremely grateful to my agent, Anna, for her unwavering support and encouragement. Publishing The Halfways is a dream come true.”

Grewal added: “In equal parts compelling, harrowing, multi-layered and beautiful, The Halfways is that rarest of novels. It’s everything I love in a big story about family, and more. A story of mothers and daughters, of fathers and daughters, of sisterhood, it is a tale that explores belonging, family and what makes forgiveness and redemption possible. I defy anyone not to be moved by these characters and the rich stories they have to tell. I was completely blown away by Nilopar’s talent, and this is going to be a very special publication for HQ.”

FAWLEY SERIES ACQUIRED FOR TELEVISION

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Screen rights to Cara Hunter’s DI Fawley novels have been optioned by Castlefield, part of Fremantle, by the team behind BAFTA-winning In The Flesh and BBC One crime series In The Dark.

Hunter's four-book series is the biggest crime-writing brand to have launched in the UK in the last five years, selling over one million copies to date in the UK and across 25 territories worldwide. Her debut novel Close to Home topped The Sunday Times and Amazon bestseller lists and was Penguin Random House’s biggest selling eBook of 2018.

Castlefield Managing Director Hilary Martin and Creative Director Simon Judd said: “We are so thrilled to be joining forces with the brilliantly talented Cara Hunter to bring her hit novels to screen. Cara collides noisy, epic crime stories with vivid, visceral characters that you just can’t look away from. Her razor-sharp depiction of contemporary life is a gift and we can’t wait to get cracking.”

Cara Hunter, whose fifth novel The Whole Truth will be published in early 2021, said “I’ve always ‘seen’ the Fawley books play out in my head as I write them, and the style I developed for the books was a deliberate attempt to replicate the feel and pace of the best TV crime – the short scenes, the fast pace, and the changing points of view. Hilary and Simon completely ‘get’ what the books are all about, and have a wonderful feel for the characters. I can’t think of a better producer for the series than Castlefield.”

Viking buys McKay's history of the Allied bombing of Dresden

Viking has bought a narrative history of the Allied bombing of Dresden by bestselling historian Sinclair McKay.

Daniel Crewe bought World English rights from Anna Power at Johnson & Alcock.

Scheduled for publication on the 75th anniversary of the bombing, Dresden will provide a minute-by-minute account of the Allied obliteration of Dresden, a campaign which on a single night killed an estimated 25,000 people, and is today still hotly debated; was it a legitimate military target or a last act of atavistic mass murder in a war already won?

From the history of the city - the ‘Florence of the Elbe’ - to the attack itself through to the eerie period of reconstruction under Soviet control in the following years, Sinclair McKay tells the untold stories of both the civilians and military.

Sinclair Mckay said: “I am completely thrilled to be working with the team at Viking on a subject that resonates powerfully even now. After 75 years, the hideous moral questions thrown up by the 1945 destruction of Dresden remain as perplexing to the people of that beautiful city as they do everywhere else. Time has also brought sharper clarity to individual stories, and the trajectory of family lives before and long after the cataclysm. This isn’t just about the darker impulses of war, though: for out of that fiery horror eventually came moving reconciliation, cultural rebirth and miraculous regeneration.”

Daniel Crewe, Publisher, Viking, said: “We’re all thrilled to welcome Sinclair McKay to Viking. His deep research, careful reflection and powerful storytelling will make for a highly moving account on this important anniversary.”

McKay’s previous bestsellers include The Secret Life of Bletchley Park which has sold 225,000 copies TCM and Bletchley Park Brainteasers which currently stands at 150,000 copies TCM.  The Lady in the Cellar (White Lion) and Secret Service Brainteasers (Headline) are published in September 2018.