BBD Nabs New One from Benjamin
The Aviator’s Wife author Melanie Benjamin sold a currently untitled work of historical fiction to Kate Miciak at Ballantine Bantam Dell. Miciak, Benjamin’s longtime editor, took world rights in the deal from agent Laura Langlie. The Aviator’s Wife, a historical novel about Anne Morrow Lindbergh and her marriage to her famous pilot husband Charles, was published by BBD’s Delacorte Press in January 2013; the publisher said that, to date, the book has sold more than 450,000 copies. The Aviator’s Wife was also recently optioned by actress/producer Jennifer Garner. Benjamin’s forthcoming book, the novel The Swans of Fifth Avenue, will be published by Delacorte in January 2016; it’s about the friendship between Truman Capote and socialite Babe Paley. Benjamin’s previous books are Alice I Have Been and The Autobiography of Tom Thumb.
Lipman Gets ‘Working’ for William Morrow
Founding editor-in-chief of Conde Nast Portfolio Joanne Lipman sold Win Win: The Art and Science of Working with Women to Henry Ferris at William Morrow. Ferris took North American rights at auction from Suzanne Gluck at William Morris Endeavor. The book is expanded from Lipman’s 2014 article for the Wall Street Journal (where she used to work as deputy managing editor), “Women at Work: A Guide for Men.” That piece went viral and the book, Morrow said, will show “women how to bring men into the conversation” at the office, and men how to “take needed steps to close the gender gap.” Morrow is planning to publish the book in fall 2017.
Hatke Inks Quartet at Roaring Book
Picture book author and graphic novelist Ben Hatke closed a six-figure four-book world rights deal with Roaring Brook Press and its graphic novel imprint, First Second. Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary represented Hatke, selling rights to First Second’s Calista Brill and Roaring Book Press’s Simon Boughton. Through the deal, Hatke sold a picture book called Nobody Likes a Goblin to First Second; a middle grade graphic novel, with a planned sequel, to First Second called Mighty Jack; and an illustrated middle grade novel to Roaring Brook called Miracle Molly. Hatke is the author of, among other titles, the picture book Julia’s House for Lost Creatures and the graphic novel series Zita the Spacegirl.
Knopf Faces ‘Winter’ with Geye
In a second deal brokered by agent Laura Langlie this week, Knopf’s Gary Fisketjon took world rights to Peter Geye’s new novel, The Winterers. Geye’s first two books, The Lighthouse Road and Safe from the Sea, were published by Unbridled Books; the former was a 2014 World Book Night selection, and the latter was selected as an Indie Sleeper by PW and also won the 2011 Northeast Minnesota Book Award. In The Winterers, a son joins his father—who is losing his business and coping with a crumbling marriage—for a winter trip in the Minnesota wilderness. Langlie said when the two set out “they have no idea that the past they carry with them is every bit the load as the gear in their packs.”
Reisz Takes Her ‘Share’ To Mira
In a mid-six-figure five-book deal, Tiffany Reisz (the Original Sinners series) sold The Angel’s Share to Susan Swinwood at Mira Books. Agent Sara Megibow at KT Literary, who brokered the world rights deal, said the novel was pitched as The Thirteenth Tale done Tiffany Reisz–style.” Megibow elaborated by saying the novel is “a story of revenge, betrayal, lust, and bourbon, inspired by real events in Kentucky history.” The novel is currently set for a 2016 release.