New Yousafzai Memoir Goes to Atria
Kate Napolitano, executive editor at Atria Books, acquired North American, audio, and serial rights to a new memoir from Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and author of the bestseller I Am Malala. Atria described the book as a “revealing journey of self-discovery—a breathtaking story of recovery and search for identity, a candid exploration of her coming-of-age in the public spotlight, and an intimate look at her life today.” A young readers and a picture book adaptation of the memoir will be published by Salaam Reads, another Simon & Schuster imprint. Albert Lee and Meredith Miller at UTA represented Yousafzai.
Crown Buys Shakur Bio
Crown’s Kevin Doughten bought North American rights to Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography from Jeff Silberman at Folio Literary Management. Screenwriter and author Staci Robinson knew Shakur in high school in Marin City, Calif., and was selected by Shakur’s mother to write the book. It will be illustrated with photos, mementos, handwritten poetry and musings, and other rarely seen artifacts and images from the Shakur estate’s archives. Crown called the bio “a moving exploration” of the rapper’s life and legacy. Publication is set for October.
Flatiron Takes Pearson’s Adult Debut
Sarah Barley at Flatiron Books acquired world English rights to The Courting of Bristol Keats, the adult debut of bestselling YA author Mary E. Pearson, as part of a two-book deal for six figures. Flatiron said the novel “follows a grieving young woman who learns that her father’s death may have been faked, and is plunged into an unexpected world of gods, fae, and monsters.” Rosemary Stimola and Allison Remcheck of Stimola Literary Studio represented Pearson.
Assassins’ Head to Putnam
Mark Tavani at G.P. Putnam’s Sons preempted North American rights to Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart (The Warehouse) in a two-book deal. The novel, Tavani said, features the world’s deadliest hit man who, after putting his violent life behind him to join a 12-step support group for reformed assassins, risks everything to find out who has tried to kill him. Tavani added that Assassins Anonymous “blends the pulse-pounding action of John Wick with the humor and humanity of Barry.” The deal was made by Josh Getzler at HG Literary.
Portfolio Adds ‘Capital’
In an auction, Megan McCormack at Portfolio bought North American rights to Jessica Chen’s Quiet Capital. An Emmy winner for her work at ABC 10News in San Diego, Calif., Chen is now CEO of Soulcast Media, a global business communication training agency, which works with companies and individuals on executive presence and communication. Rachel Ekstrom Courage of Courage Literary brokered the deal, and she said Quiet Capital “explores a new way of building visibility and influence in a loud world. Think Quiet meets Radical Candor.”
Chancy Weaves Her Way to Tin House
American Book Award winner Myriam J.A. Chancy (What Storm, What Thunder) sold U.S. rights to her new novel Village Weavers to Masie Cochran at Tin House, in a deal done by Dara Hyde at Hill Nadell Literary Agency. The novel, Hyde said, “follows the intertwining lives of young girls into their young adulthood in Port-au-Prince and their reconnection as elderly women in the United States to finally confront the revelation that separated them in childhood.” Publication is set for winter 2024.
