Latest Acquisitions & Adaptations
By Georgie Cutler and Eva Lee
Acquisition News
HQ Stories secures powerful book by Betsy Griffin
HQ Stories, an imprint of HarperCollins, has secured rights to Betsy Griffin’s Out of the Woods: A Tale of Positivity, Kindness and Courage. The eight-year-old was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour which has left her blind. Throughout her journey, she has started her own YouTube channel and began writing this book. She mentions “my kind braille tutor, Keren, helped me produce it. I really wanted it to go on sale at my local bookshop, Chorleywood Bookshop, and Sheryl (the owner) agreed to sell it which started this wonderful journey” (The Bookseller). The book will follow an inspirational journey as Betsy teaches us to face struggles, with powerful and uplifting lessons and a positive outlook to life. It is set to be published on 10 November 2022.
Head of Zeus acquires A. G. Riddle’s time-travel thriller
The world English language rights for A. G. Riddle’s Lost in Time have been bought by Nicolad Cheetham (Head of Zeus) from Danny Baror (Baror International). The thriller focuses on a father and his daughter as they try to expose a murderer and uncover a conspiracy to save the human race. The only issue is there are 201 million years between them. Lost in Time has been chosen as Goldsboro Books’ SF Fellowship Book of the Month for August, meaning a special edition of the book will be released with sprayed edges and an exclusive cover. The hardback and e-book formats are set to be published on 1 September 2022.
From Book to Screen
What to Watch?
Paper Girls on Amazon Prime
With the success of Stranger Things, a new science fiction series, Paper Girls, written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Cliff Chiang, is set for an adaptation. The story based on the comic book series of the same name follows four paper girls in 1988 as they are caught in the conflict of time-travellers from the past, present and future and are forced to save themselves and the world. The four leading roles will star Sofia Rosinsky, Camryn Jones, Riley Lai Nelet and Fina Strazza. The first season will have eight episodes and is now available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
House of the Dragon comes to HBO
The fantasy drama series House of the Dragon is set to come to our screens this August. It is based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, a novel recounting the history of House Targaryen. This TV adaptation will feature the likes of Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Paddy Considine and Rhys Ifans. It acts as a prequel to the popular TV series Game of Thrones, taking place 200 years before the events of the main series. The first season will consist of ten episodes that will feature the violence, plotting and dragons at the heart of House Targaryen’s place on the Iron Throne. You can watch House of the Dragon on HBO, Sky Atlantic or NowTV on 22 August 2022.
In the Works
Rivers of London set for TV Adaption
All nine novels of the fantasy series are set for a screen adaptation which will include the graphic novel and short stories. The popular novels by Ben Aaronovitch will see different productions collaborating to produce the series, including Pure Fiction Television, See-Saw films and Aaronovitch’s own company Unnecessary Logo. The series set in a fantasy world of London follows Peter Grant, a British metropolitan police officer recruited to deal with supernatural crimes and magical forces. So far, there are no details on casting or network, with more information to be released soon.
Eragon live-action series headed to Disney+
The popular YA book series The Inheritance Cycle is being developed for Disney+ as a live-action series. In 2006, a film adaptation of the first book in the series Eragon was released, featuring the talents of Ed Speleers and Jeremy Irons. However, after some crushing reviews and lacklustre viewing figures, fans of the series were keen for a remake. After #EragonRemake trended on twitter in 2021, Disney clearly got the message that it was time for an adaptation redemption. Eragon follows the titular character in his discovery of being a Dragon Rider and his fight against an oppressive king with the help of his dragon Saphira. So far, 20th Television have attached the author of the series, Christopher Paolini, as a co-writer for the adaptation and Bert Salke as executive producer. We look forward to hearing more about this adaptation as it develops.