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Nancy Inteli and Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins Children’s Books have secured North American rights to a new take on the classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. This version is crafted by renowned horror author Stephen King and features illustrations by the late Caldecott Medal-winning artist Maurice Sendak. The illustrations were originally designed by Sendak for the Engelbert Humperdinck opera adaptation in 1997. The picture book is anticipated for release in September.
Bill Thomas of Doubleday has acquired U.S. rights to Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood, working with Karolina Sutton at CAA. The memoir promises to delve into Atwood’s journey, tracing her upbringing in the Arctic regions of Canada to her evolution as a celebrated writer, including her creation of the iconic The Handmaid’s Tale. The book is slated for a November release, coinciding with editions in Canada by McClelland & Stewart and in the U.K. by Chatto & Windus.
Keith Kahla from Minotaur has entered a two-book agreement with the esteemed Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Sara Paretsky. They secured North American and audio rights from Dominick Abel. Meanwhile, Carolyn Mays at Bedford Square Publishers acquired U.K. rights. The first novel in this deal, titled Bad Company, is set for release next fall and revolves around the character Lily Sedarko, a retired CIA agent who returns to the field amid complications from a past operation.
Anna Michaels at Sourcebooks obtained North American rights to Caroline Darian’s memoir I’ll Never Call Him Dad Again, which was represented by Stella Giatrakou at Bonnier. This poignant memoir comes from the perspective of Darian, whose mother, Gisèle Pelicot, was at the center of a high-profile rape trial against her husband and others last year. Described as a compelling narrative and a significant commentary on the escalating violence against women, the book first appeared in France in 2022 and later in the U.K. earlier this year, with a U.S. publication planned for March.
Tricia Narwani at Del Rey has finalized a six-book contract with Elise Kova for her previously self-published series, Married to Magic. The deal, which includes North American rights, was executed through Jenny Bent at the Bent Agency. The series reportedly reinterprets classic fairy tales and myths, weaving in supernatural themes, and will introduce a new, sixth volume. Details regarding U.S. release dates are anticipated soon.
In Brief
Alyea Canada at Orbit has acquired Leslye Penelope’s upcoming urban fantasy titled December 32, set against the backdrop of the Y2K crisis, with anticipated publication in 2026. Ryan Doherty at Celadon secured global rights from Susan Canavan at Waxman Literary Agency for biographies of NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, collectively titled Brady and Mahomes by Lars Anderson, with Brady set to release next fall. Alessandra Bastagli at One Signal acquired North American rights to Chase Strangio’s memoir Sparkle in the Darkness, which explores issues of transgender rights, slated for release in September 2027. Furthermore, Laura Schreiber at William Morrow acquired two mystery novels from Ross Montgomery, with the first, The Murder at World’s End, scheduled for winter 2026. Likewise, Pamela Dorman and Deborah Sun de la Cruz at Penguin Canada obtained North American rights to Rosie Walsh’s The One Day You Were My Husband, with the release date yet to be announced.
A version of this article appeared in the 02/17/2025 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Deals
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