Mira Nabs Self-Pubbed Series for Seven Figures

Self-published bestseller Bella Andre has closed a seven-figure deal with Valerie Gray, at Harlequin’s Mira imprint, for her eight-book Sullivan series. Steve Axelrod, at the Axelrod Agency, handled the world English rights deal. Mira called the series a “sexy, fun, emotional, contemporary romance”—it follows the members of the titular family, which has six brothers and two sisters. Harlequin said the first six books—the last two have not come out yet—have sold 500,000 copies to date. The first book is set for a summer 2013 release.

‘Dangerous Book’ Coauthor Signs with Putnam

Conn Iggulden, historical fiction novelist and coauthor of the bestseller The Dangerous Book for Boys, inked a deal with Nita Taublib at G.P. Putnam’s Sons for a new trilogy. The series, which Victoria Hobbs at A.M. Heath sold U.S. rights to, will be set during the War of the Roses. Putnam noted that Iggulden’s last two historical fiction series—one on Julius Caesar and the other on Genghis Khan—were both bestsellers. The first book in this trilogy is set for early 2014.

Harper Buys Self-Pubbed Diet Book

Agent Linda Konner, at Linda Konner Literary, sold world English rights to Jonathan Bailor’s self-published diet book, The Smarter Science of Slim, to Julie Will at Harper. Konner said the book, which Harper is releasing in January 2014, sold 7,000 copies in seven months; it resulted from extensive research by the author, who Konner noted spent a decade reviewing more than 1,000 studies on dieting. She called the work “the single largest scientific analysis of long-term health and fitness ever conducted.”

Norton Gets Morbid for Mortician’s Memoir

Prevailing in an eight-way auction, Tom Mayer at Norton bought world rights to mortician Caitlin Doughty’s memoir, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (and Other Lessons from the Crematory). The book, which has drawn buzz around town, was sold by Anna Sproul-Latimer at the Ross Yoon Agency. Norton said it offers “an eye-opening, candid, and often hilarious” account of Doughty’s initial year working in the funeral business. On a more serious note, the publisher added, the book delivers a cri de coeur “for better practices in the way we deal with death.”

Avon Romances Laura Kaye

In another big romance acquisition, Amanda Bergeron at Avon Romance acquired a four-book series by Laura Kaye, pre-empting world rights for six figures. Kaye teaches at the Naval Academy and the series will follow a group of former military men who are, the publisher said, “all willing to do anything necessary to protect their women and the comrades they fought with.” Agent Jennifer Schober at Spencerhill Associates did the deal for Kaye, who is currently published by Entangled and Wild Rose Press.

Briefs

Kerry Donovan at NAL bought world rights to Sydney Landon’s originally self-published Weekends Required, along with its sequel, Not Planning on You. Jane Dystel, at Dystel & Goderich, represented Landon in the sale. The series follows the sexy women who work at a company full of men.