Dan Houser, cofounder of Rockstar Games and creative director behind the bestselling Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption video game franchises, will release his first novel later this year. The book, A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath, is an adaptation of Houser's science fiction audio series of the same name. It will be the first title from a new publishing imprint from Absurd Ventures, Houser’s entertainment company.
The new publishing program is being overseen by Jason Bartholomew, CEO of U.K. PR and communications company Midas Group. Simon & Schuster will distribute the book and the Bks Agency, which is part of Midas Group, will sell all translation rights for Absurd’s books. A week out from the London Book Fair, Houser was named a keynote speaker for this year’s show, appearing on the main stage on Wednesday, March 12, at 10:15 a.m. GT.
Set in the near future, the story follows the development of an experimental video game project led by Dr. Mark Tyburn, a psychologist and inventor, leading to unanticipated results and the awakening of an unknown superintelligence. The original podcast series debuted at #1 on Apple’s Fiction charts and won the 2024 Signal Award for Best Episode of Scripted Fiction.
Absurd Ventures' portfolio also includes two additional original properties: a crime fiction universe called American Caper and a comedy satire universe called the Absurdaverse. A comics series based on American Caper and animation projects within the Absurdaverse are slated for 2025.
“Having collaborated with countless authors and publishing houses in my career, I knew instantly what a sensational opportunity this would be," Bartholomew said, regarding the launch of the new publishing venture. “We all know from Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto and other ground-breaking projects what a renowned and important storyteller Dan Houser is. To have Dan’s first novel as the inaugural release for the Absurd Ventures imprint will set the tone for our aims to explore thrilling, fun and surprising new universes and we can’t wait to share more about it all."
This article has been updated with further information.
