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Recent Publishing Deals Highlight Diverse Literary Offerings
Jade Hui of Summit Books has secured North American rights to The Kindness of Strangers authored by Emma Garman. This two-book deal was arranged through Cara Lee Simpson from Susanna Lea. The publisher describes this novel as a “tense and multi-perspective homage to the classic murder mystery,” occurring within a rooming house in post-WWII London. It delves into themes of precarious self-reinvention, complex love dynamics, righteous vengeance, and a murder that entwines all residents. The anticipated publication date is May 2026.
Callie Garnett at Bloomsbury obtained North American rights to Bright Monday by David Leavitt from Jin Auh at Wylie. This engaging narrative recounts a romantic relationship rekindled after thirty years, shifting between Milan during the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and New York City amid the AIDS crisis. The book is set to be published in 2026.
Ruoxi Chen of Putnam acquired North American rights to Hello, World authored by Karisa Tell, achieving a six-figure deal through a competitive auction led by Stephanie Delman at Trellis. The storyline portrays a group living in a highly personalized simulation, grappling with the mystery of a young mother’s disappearance as peculiar glitches reveal the hidden costs of their idealized existence. Its release is slated for 2027.
Nneoma Amadi-obi from Norton has purchased U.S. rights to the Sixty Kilo Saga trilogy by Hallgrímur Helgason, coordinated by Elianna Kan at Regal Hoffmann. Set against the stunning landscapes of Iceland, the narrative encapsulates the essence of a nation’s life through the experiences of a single village and an individual’s coming-of-age journey, resonating with national identity. The publication date remains unconfirmed.
Wendy Wong and Jennifer Hershey at Ballantine have successfully negotiated North American rights, via auction, for This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint, through a two-book arrangement with Amelia Evans at PRH UK. Scheduled for a May 2026 release, the novel offers a vivid reinterpretation of the epic love affair between the deities Aphrodite and Ares, whose attraction defies the odds.
Jeanne Thornton at Feminist Press acquired U.S. and Canadian rights to Danielle Maggio‘s Game Is Her Middle Name: The Unapologetic Life of Betty Davis from Brandi Bowles at UTA. Highlighting Davis’s bold and genre-defying music career, the work also addresses her battles against the challenges posed by a racially and sexually prejudiced 1970s music industry. It is expected to be published in fall 2026.
In Brief
Sarah Ried at Atlantic Editions has acquired world rights to The Singing Word: 168 Years of Atlantic Poetry by Walt Hunter, which compiles nearly a century’s worth of poetry previously featured in the Atlantic. This anthology is scheduled for release in September 2025.
Jessica Tribble Wells at Thomas & Mercer has preemptively obtained world rights to Jenni L. Walsh‘s Prohibition-era locked-room mystery, The Gatsby Girls Do Murder, from Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon, with a publication date set for June 2026.
Jessica Case at Pegasus has acquired North American rights to The Gardener’s Club, a murder mystery written by Marnie Riches, through Caspian Dennis at Abner Stein. It is slated for publication in March 2026.
Karen Kosztolnyik at Grand Central has secured North American rights for Ally Condie‘s novel of suspense and friendship, The Girls Trip, from Jodi Reamer at Writers House, with an expected release in April 2026.
Kate Gale at Red Hen has taken world rights to Ariane Powell‘s Sext, a “sapphic poetry collection,” obtained from Lauren Bieker at FinePrint, with a projected release in 2027.
Laura Price at Titan acquired world rights to Joey Spiotto‘s cartoon collection Klingon Next Door: Off Duty the Warrior’s Way, based on the Star Trek series, through Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency, with a planned publication in fall 2025.
A version of this article appeared in the 04/28/2025 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Deals.
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