Photo credit: www.publishersweekly.com

Recent Book Acquisitions Highlight Emerging Literary Voices

In a series of dynamic acquisitions, various publishers have secured rights to a number of promising new titles, showcasing a diverse range of narratives and themes.

Debut Novels and Unique Perspectives

David Ebershoff, representing Hogarth, won North American rights to Waiting on a Friend by Natalie Adler, a fellow with the Center for Fiction. This novel, set in New York during 1984, follows a young queer woman who begins to see ghosts, as she grapples with the loss of friends to AIDS. The story delves into her haunting search for the one ghost that has yet to make an appearance. The title is scheduled for release in spring 2026.

Andy Ward at Random House has acquired North American rights to Three Tenses by Ed Park. This work promises to deliver a mosaic of memories and imaginative anecdotes, offering a compelling glimpse into the creative process. Readers can anticipate its publication next year.

Lyssa Keusch of Grand Central secured North American rights to Eli Raphael’s debut, Bright Work. The narrative centers on an aspiring teenage astronomer dealing with her mother’s death while becoming entangled in a secret society at an elite boarding school in the Pacific Northwest, where a murder investigation complicates the academic year. This novel is set to hit the shelves in May 2026.

Sapphic Retellings and Fantasy Adventures

Sara Goodman at Wednesday Publishing obtained North American rights to a two-book deal for Allison Saft’s Immortal Game. This sapphic retelling of Irish mythology features a 19-year-old chess grandmaster who must navigate the faerie realm to save her sister by winning a rare tournament, with unexpected romantic complications. The anticipated release is slated for summer 2026.

Vicki Lame at Saturday has picked up North American rights to A Cursed Arrangement, the first entry in a romantasy duology by Kirsten Ciccarelli. This tale follows a sunseeker forced to marry her people’s enemy, a nightbreaker prince, to reclaim her magic and uphold her family legacy. The U.K. rights were acquired by HarperVoyage, while Ravensburger purchased the German rights. This title is scheduled for winter 2028.

Callie Garnett at Bloomsbury acquired the North American rights to Hallie Elizabeth Newton’s debut novel, Asking for It. This provocative narrative follows a shopaholic socialite during a single day in 2014 as she navigates New York City while searching for someone to kill her. Publication is scheduled for 2026.

In Brief

Ann Godoff at Penguin secured U.S. rights to Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir, A Hymn to Life, which is set for January publication, obtained from Susanna Lea.

Nick Amphlett at Dutton has landed North American rights to an untitled project by Rinker Buck, known for The Oregon Trail. This book promises a fresh perspective on the American Civil War and is under development.

Katy Nishimoto at the Dial Press acquired North American rights to Jules Ohman’s Fire Years, exploring the impact of starting a catastrophic wildfire in Montana. The publication date is still to be determined.

Jacob Weisman at Tachyon gained world English rights to Meg Elison’s satirical work Foundling Fathers, which humorously features young clones of prominent American figures like Thomas Jefferson. This title is set for summer next year.

Melissa Rechter at Alcove secured world rights to Sarah Glenn Marsh’s We Could Be (Anti)Heroes, marketed as “a gay Lord of the Rings.” This romantasy is poised for release next spring.

A version of this article appeared in the 03/24/2025 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: Deals

Source
www.publishersweekly.com