Spanish Graphic Novel on Trump Sells in France
In December, Spanish publisher Sapristi (Roca Editorial) released President Trump: God Forgive America by Pablo Rios, the author of two previous graphic novels. Spanish Agency SalmaiaLit controls all rights, and French rights have sold to Steinkis Groupe. The satiric graphic novel imagines what is going on in Trump’s head as he is about to enter the White House and deal with pressing world issues.
South African Novels Sells to Sceptre
Period Pain by Kopano Matlwa was recently acquired by Francine Toon at Sceptre (Hodder & Stoughton) for world English rights. Barcelona-based Pontas Literary & Film Agency controls all rights, and the book was originally published in South Africa, by Jacana Media last November. Pontas reports there is an Italian offer on the table. Matlwa is also author of the novel Coconut, which sold over 25,000 copies in South Africa. Period Pain follows a young woman named Masechaba and looks at the challenges young women face in modern South Africa.
Debut French Novel Sells in Germany
Sous le Compost, the debut novel from Nicolas Maleski, will be published this month by Fleuve Editions (the publisher controls all rights). In addition, a first deal has been made with Luebbe in Germany. The novel is about Franck, who receives an anonymous letter claiming that his wife is having an affair.
Historical Novel on the Meeting of Cultures Racks Up Sales Abroad
House of Books has recently pre-empted Dutch rights to The Samurai of Seville by John J. Healey. Pontas Agency controls all rights, and Arcade/Skyhorse will be publishing in the U.S. this June. The author is American, but Spanish rights were sold first, to La Esfera de los Libros, which published first. Other deals have been made in Germany and Macedonia. The book is set in 1614, and is about the first Japanese Samurais who traveled to Europe and were received by King Philip III of Spain.
