Metropolitan Signs Palestinian Rapper
In an exclusive submission, Riva Hocherman at Metropolitan has acquired world rights to two books by Palestinian rapper Tamer Nafar, considered by many to be the godfather of Palestinian hip-hop. Nafar was represented by Anjali Singh at the Anjali Singh Agency. Singh said the first book, 3Gs, due out in 2026, is a memoir that “tells the story of Nafar’s life, his father’s life, and his future daughter, tracing the past and future of Palestinian creativity.” The second book, 2 ATMs, due out in 2028, is a graphic novel set in the author’s hometown of Lyd, Israel, and features “a man caught between his day job as an upstanding bank clerk and his night gig selling drugs.” The deal is the first for Singh at her new eponymous agency.
First Second Chases Ying’s ‘Sunspots’
Kiara Valdez at First Second has acquired world English rights to Chasing Sunspots by Victoria Ying (Hungry Ghost). First Second said the YA graphic novel is about “a high school girl who, in her attempt to find validation for her art and chase her dreams of entering the comics industry, finds the strength and self-worth to overcome a manipulative relationship with a much older cartoonist.” Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary negotiated the deal. Publication is scheduled for 2027.
Ballantine Nabs Handley’s Decision Guide
After an auction, Ann Handley, author of the bestselling Everybody Writes, has sold North American rights to ASAP: As Slow as Possible to Mary Reynics at Ballantine. Melissa Flashman at Janklow & Nesbit brokered the deal. Ballantine said the book is a “practical, story-driven, research-backed” guide meant to help readers discover “when and how to slow down in a world obsessed with speed to achieve improved results, better decisions, and deeper meaning in their life and work.” No pub date has been announced.
Gladwell Tips ‘Revenge’ to LB
Little, Brown has acquired North American rights to Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point. The bestselling author was represented by Tina Bennett of Bennett Literary. Little, Brown executive editor Asya Muchnick will edit. The publisher said Gladwell will revisit the ideas he introduced in The Tipping Point, published in 2000, drawing on “fresh case studies” to “rethink and expand on his original models about how trends are born, catch on, and spread.” Revenge of the Tipping Point is scheduled for publication in October.
Harper Lands Woo’s Gothic Mystery Debut
In a preempt, Sarah Stein at Harper Paperbacks has acquired North American rights to Wildwood, by debut author Ashley Woo. Jade Kavanagh at Darley Anderson negotiated the two-book deal. Kavanagh described the book as “a chilling gothic mystery about a young couple expecting their first child, who unexpectedly become owners of 300-year-old house in Vermont and discover a buried connection to the ghosts of witchcraft accusations centuries before, and neighbors who might desire more than just to take their land.” Wildwood is tentatively set for a fall 2026 publication.
Bloomsbury Inks Hwang’s Debut Novel
Amber Oliver at Bloomsbury has acquired North American rights to debut novelist J.B. Hwang’s Mendell Station. The deal was brokered by Jin Auh at the Wylie Agency. Bloomsbury said the novel is “about faith, grief, friendship, and love,” and “the peculiar rhythms of work,” adding that it follows a “30-something Korean American woman who quits her job as a private Christian school teacher following the death of her best friend to become a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service.” Mendell Station is scheduled to be published in 2025.
