Putnam Gets ‘Glad’ About Rebeck
Playwright Theresa Rebeck sold world rights to I’m Glad About You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, with Tara Singh Carlson editing. Rebeck has written two novels, a number of plays (including, with co-writer Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros, the Pulitzer finalist Omnium Gatherum), and is the creator of the NBC TV series Smash (about the mounting of a Broadway musical). The novel, scheduled for 2016, follows Alison and Kyle, “whose lives split and reconnect,” Putnam said, “when she leaves the Midwest and winds up on a cultural roller coaster while he stays behind.” Nick Mullendore at Loretta Barrett Books represented Rebeck in the deal.

Stenn Lets His ‘Hair’ Down At Pegasus
Iris Blasi at Pegasus Books took world rights to Kurt Stenn’s Hair: A Human History. Stenn is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, and the book, Blasi explained, is a “microhistory” of hair. Elaborating, Blasi said Stenn explores the “biological, evolutionary, and cultural history of hair,” and its role in everything from fashion to forensics. The book, which Regina Ryan at Ryan Publishing Enterprises sold, is set for winter 2016.

NAL Nabs Hot Global Seller, ‘The Widow’
In a three-book deal, Danielle Perez at New American Library preempted U.S. rights to a debut novel that has been selling in auctions around the world. The Widow is a thriller by British journalist Fiona Barton, who worked for the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph, among other publications. The book is told from three different perspectives. There’s Jean Taylor, whose husband—accused, years earlier, of a crime for which the public still blames him (and, to an extent, her)—has just died. There’s the reporter who scores a hard-to-get exclusive interview with Taylor. And there’s the detective who, having never closed the case, sees the interview as a chance to finally get justice. According to NAL, the book has sold in major auctions in 15 markets around the world, including France, Germany, and the U.K. (where Transworld picked up rights earlier this month). NAL will publish The Widow simultaneously with Transworld, in March 2016. Madeleine Millburn, who has an eponymous shingle, represented Barton in the deal.

Miller Gets ‘Fair’ for Dorman
For her eponymous Penguin imprint, Pamela Dorman preempted North American rights to Louise Miller’s novel Fair Season in a two-book deal. Miller is a professional baker and graduate of the Grub Street Novel Incubator program. The book, which Alexandra Machinist at ICM Partners sold, follows a pastry chef who, after accidentally setting fire to the Boston club where she works, relocates to Vermont. There, the publisher explained, she “finds solace, love, and community” working as a baker at a local inn.

Booth Takes ‘Hamlet’ to Disney
Molly Booth, a 25-year-old writer for the teen website HelloGiggles, sold North American rights to her debut YA novel, Saving Hamlet. Kieran Viola at Disney Hyperion brokered the two-book deal with Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group. The book, which is set for winter 2016, follows a 15-year-old who, while working on her high school production of Hamlet, falls through a stage door and lands at the Globe Theater, circa 1601, where the play is having its debut. The acquisition marks Viola’s first at Disney Hyperion.

Briefs
Alyson Heller at Aladdin took world rights to Barbara Dee’s Truth or Dare. The book, set for fall 2016, was sold by Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Grinberg said the novel follows a late bloomer who “lies to keep up with friends in an extended game of truth or dare.”
Avery’s Lucia Watson took world rights to Hortus Cuisine blogger Valentina Solfrini’s Naturally Vegetarian, a cookbook featuring vegetarian Italian recipes. Berta Treitl at Grosvenor Literary represented the author.