Hawn, Oliver Pen New MG Series
Francesco Sedita and Rob Valois at Penguin Workshop have taken world rights to a new series of middle grade novels titled The Kindness Club by actor Goldie Hawn and bestselling author Lin Oliver. The four-book deal was handled by Alan Nevins at Renaissance Literary & Talent in collaboration with Ellen Goldsmith-Vein at the Gotham Group. Hawn is the cofounder of the emotional literacy nonprofit Mind Up, and Oliver is a co-founder of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Nevins said the series will follow “three unique friends who learn to problem-solve and help others through acts of kindness.” The first book in the series is scheduled for publication in 2026.
Bloomsbury Orders the ‘Cheese Cake’
In an exclusive submission, Mark Kurlansky (Salt and Cod) has sold world rights to a novel, Cheese Cake, to Nancy Miller at Bloomsbury. Harriet LeFavour will edit. Danielle Svetcov at Levine Greenberg Rostan brokered the deal. Bloomsbury said the novel, Kurlansky’s first in a decade, follows “a series of Upper West Siders as they attempt to interpret a perplexing historical recipe for Roman cheesecake, in turn revealing their own histories.” The book is scheduled for May 2025.
Legacy Picks Durante’s ‘Old Brain’
In a preempt, Amina Iro at Legacy Lit has acquired world rights to Old Brain, New World by psychologist and Rutgers University research professor Kristina Durante. Leila Campoli at Stonesong represented Durante. Legacy Lit said the book is based on the author’s “original research on evolutionary mismatch” and will offer readers ways to “restore our sense of control in an uncontrollable, fast-paced world.” A 2026 publication is planned.
Nix Sells Two to Harper Voyager
Garth Nix (The Old Kingdom series) has sold North American rights to two books to David Pomerico at Harper Voyager. Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management negotiated the deal. Grinberg said the first book, Massif, set for a 2025 release, is “an epic science fiction novel set in a universe where the crew of a small ship must deal with the aftermath of battle, and the unwinding of the mystery that transported humanity to the stars.” The second novel, The Even-Handed Booksellers of Edinburgh, is a continuation of the bestselling series that began with 2020’s The Left-Handed Booksellers of London and continued with The Sinister Booksellers of Bath. Edinburgh is planned for a 2026 publication.
Chang Brings ‘Rage’ and ‘Monsters’ to S&S
In her first acquisition, Simon & Schuster assistant editor Brittany Adames took North American rights to two books by National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree K-Ming Chang (Bestiary). The deal was negotiated by Julia Kardon of HG Literary, after an auction. S&S said the first book is a novel titled Rage Will Be Your Savior, which is about “three young Asian women who summon a demon.” The second is a story collection titled Exhausted Monsters, which the publisher said “explores queerness and the possibility of new worlds, using monsters and demons to confront heteronormativity and patriarchy.” Rage will be published in 2026.
Dell Pulls Randall’s ‘Strings’
Breanne Randall (The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic) has sold North American rights to Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things to Natalie Hallak at Dell, in a preempt. Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary and Media brokered the deal. Dell said Strings is about “a witch and her two sisters on a collision course with an enemy coven and its handsome, mysterious leader,” and the “forbidden love story that threatens to undo them all.” No pub date was announced.
