Watkins Scores Big Deal at Tiny Reparations Books
Pilar Garcia-Brown at Tiny Reparations Books has secured North American rights to two new books by National Book Award–longlisted author LaToya Watkins. The deal was struck by Samantha Shea at Georges Borchardt Inc. Watkins is the author of the acclaimed story collection Holler, Child and the novel Perish. The publisher said the first book in the deal, The Book of Chuck, is “a multigenerational story about inheritance, community, faith, and the weight of history” that follows a family in which “certain members have the ability to prophesize and change the course of death.” The second book, Starlite/Astro/Galaxy, is a story collection. Chuck will be published in spring 2026, and Starlite in spring 2027.
Williams Signs Two with Grand Central
Tia Williams, author of the Reese’s Book Club pick Seven Days in June (now in development for a streaming adaptation) and the just-published A Love Song for Ricki Wilde, has sold North American rights to two new novels to Grand Central fiction editorial director Karen Kosztolnyik. The deal was negotiated by Cherise Fisher at Wendy Sherman Associates. Grand Central said the as-yet-untitled first book is about “a woman employed by a search-engine company who accidentally sparks a worldwide search for the sexy stranger she made a deep connection with on a flight.” Grand Central tentatively plans to publish the novel in summer 2026. No details were announced for the second book in the deal.
Odd Dot Hooks Weinberg’s Fly-Fishing How-To
Justin Krasner at Odd Dot has acquired world rights to author and illustrator Steven Weinberg’s The Fly Fishing Book, a nonfiction illustrated guide to fly-fishing. Odd Dot said the book will appeal to “true aficionados as well as the uninitiated.” The deal was brokered by Marcia Wernick at the Wernick & Pratt Agency. The book is currently scheduled for a fall 2025 publication.
Wang Sells Dark Fantasy to Del Rey
Indie sensation and Sword of Kaigen author M.L. Wang has sold North American rights to two new books to Tricia Narwani at Del Rey. Wang was represented by Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company. Fishman said the first book in the deal, Blood over Bright Haven, is “a dark academia fantasy novel wherein the first woman ever admitted to an ancient order of mages unearths a secret that could change the practice of magic forever—if it doesn’t get her killed first.” Details were not announced for the second book in the deal. Blood over Bright Haven is set to publish in October.
St. Martin’s Joins Balson’s ‘Rescue’ Party
St. Martin’s editor-in-chief George Witte has acquired world rights to National Jewish Book Award–winning author Ronald H. Balson’s Rescue from Occupied Budapest. The deal was handled by Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group. Gottlieb said the novel follows the aftermath of a funeral, where a woman discovers “a hidden chapter of her uncle’s life” during WWII. It’s “a tale of heroism, diplomacy, and the daring rescue of Jewish refugees in Hungary—intertwined with the extraordinary efforts of the world-renowned humanitarian, Raoul Wallenberg.” The book is scheduled for fall 2025.
Mira Captures Rodrigo’s ‘Beasts’
After an auction, Dina Davis at Mira has acquired world rights to author
and artist Rosália Rodrigo’s debut novel, Beasts of Carnaval. Allegra Martschenko at Ladderbird Literary Agency brokered the deal. Mira called the book a “Puerto Rico–inspired historical fantasy” that follows “a freedwoman as she searches for her missing brother at the Carnaval de Bestias—a place where endless performances hide a violent colonial
history and a near-sentient setting—and learns why nobody who enters Carnaval ever leaves.” Mira plans to publish Beasts in summer 2025.
