Canary Street Picks Up Romantasy Series
In an exclusive submission, Cat Clyne at Canary Street Press has taken North American rights to the viral self-published romantasy Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas, along with two other books in the series. Kimberly Whalen of the Whalen Agency brokered the seven-figure deal. Canary Street said Blood of Hercules will appeal to fans of Rebecca Yarros and Sarah A. Parker, calling the book “a sarcastically funny, dark fantasy romance reimagining of Hercules, set in a dystopian world where Spartans have godlike power and rule over all.” Blood of Hercules is set for a November publication, with books two and three in the series scheduled for 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Dorman Snags Crown Editor’s Debut
Following an auction, Johns Hopkins MFA grad and former Crown assistant editor Caroline Wray has sold North American rights to Henry to Seema Mahanian at Pamela Dorman Books. The Viking imprint said Henry is “a contemporary, expansive reimagining of the fates and fortunes of Henry VIII’s six wives, spanning 1960s New Orleans, gritty ’70s New York, and a reality TV dating show set in the present-day English countryside, about the roles women play as wives, lovers, and mothers while navigating life under patriarchy.” Marya Spence at Janklow & Nesbit brokered the deal. No pub date has been announced.
Stiefvater’s Latest Lands at Viking
Bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven Boys) has sold North American rights to a new novel, The Listeners, to Andrea Schulz at Viking. Richard Pine at InkWell Management negotiated the deal. Viking said the novel follows “the manager of a luxury hotel in the West Virginia mountains, who finds herself charged with the care of detained Axis diplomats as the U.S. enters WWII.” The Listeners is scheduled for a summer 2025 publication.
Seven Stories Happy to Publish ‘Sad Tiger’
Dan Simon at Seven Stories Press has acquired world English rights to bestselling French author Neige Sinno’s Sad Tiger, translated from the French by Natasha Lehrer. First published in France in 2023, the book has sold more than 320,000 copies in France with rights sold in 29 territories and has won more than a dozen literary prizes, according to the publisher. It was also shortlisted for the Prix Goncourt. Seven Stories—which acquired the rights from Vibeke Madsen, sub rights director at Sinno’s French publisher, P.O.L.—said the book's title, inspired by William Blake’s poem “The Tyger,” explores how the author’s exposure to sexual violence as a child has impacted her adult life and “the way she perceives the world, reality, others, and art.” Seven Stories is planning a March 2025 publication.
LB Takes ‘Top Chef’ Memoir
Little, Brown senior editor Vivian Lee has picked up North American rights to Accidentally on Purpose, the debut memoir by chef, restaurateur, and Top Chef host Kristen Kish. Kimberly Witherspoon of InkWell Management handled the deal. Little, Brown said Kish will offer readers “an intimate look into her life, detailing the unexpected journey that took her from her childhood as a Korean adoptee in the Midwest to being the season 10 winner, and current Emmy-nominated host, of Top Chef.” The book will be published in April 2025.
Chao’s Adult Debut Goes to Mira
Leal Mol at Mira has taken world English rights to The Ex-girlfriend Murder Club by YA author Gloria Chao (When You Wish upon a Lantern), making her adult debut. Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency handled the deal. Rushall said the book follows “three women who discover they’re dating the same guy and band together to prank him, only to discover his body. With motive and a crime scene covered in their DNA, they must now solve his murder before they go down for it.” The book is set for a June 2025 publication.
