By Georgie Cutler and Eva Lee
Acquisition News
Scholastic lands Rosie Talbot’s debut Sixteen Souls
Scholastic has acquired the world rights to two releases from Rosie Talbot, a Waterstones bookseller and BookToker (@merrowchild). The first book, Sixteen Souls, will be released on 13 October 2022. Set in York, the novel focuses on 16-year-old Charlie Frith, a seer whose spirit friends are mysteriously vanishing. To get to the bottom of these disappearances, he has to team up with another seer, the irritating Sam Harrow. Amidst growing romantic feelings and dangerous happenings, will they be able to save Charlie’s friend’s souls in time? Scholastic plan to market back to the YA market on TikTok, inspired by the staggering views Talbot was receiving pre-acquisition. Yasmin Morrisey, the senior commissioning editor from Scholastic, described the novel as a “swoony romantasy” (The Bookseller). We can’t wait to enter the spooky season with this release.
Puffin secures magical series Secret Beast Club
Puffin has signed a deal acquiring three fantasy book series titled Secret Beast Club from children’s fiction company Storymix. Jane Griffiths acquired rights to the books from Jasmine Richards, author and founder of Storymix. The books were created by Richards, written by Rachael David, with illustrations by Jobe Anderson. It follows characters Aisha and Jayden as they join the exciting Secret Beast Club, a secretive ancient group that protects mythological creatures where they discover real magic close to them. The book is thought to be inspired by Pablo Fanque, Britain’s first Black circus owner as Puffin describes the book as “brimming with adventure, friendship and an amazing array of magical creatures” (The Bookseller). The blend of magic and adventure will let readers be imaginative and follow the journey of the two characters. The first part, Secret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street, will be out in February 2023.
From book to screen
What to watch?
Blonde adaptation brings Monroe to Netflix
Netflix will be releasing Marilyn Monroe’s unconventional biopic Blonde this September. It is based on Joyce Carol Oates’ novel of the same name, published in 2000. Oates’ novel is not a biography of Marilyn Monroe, it is purely fictional. Rather, the novel contrasts the life of Norma Jean Mortenson with that of her glamorous stage persona Marilyn Monroe. This is a long-awaited adaptation – production started in 2010, but was pushed back after financing issues. In 2019, it was revealed that the star-studded cast would be led by Ana de Armas. The adaptation also features the likes of Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, Xavier Samuel and Julianne Nicholson. You can watch Blonde on Netflix from 28 September 2022.
Partner Track out on Netflix
Netflix is to release an adaptation of Helen Wan’s novel Partner Track with Georgia Lee and Sarah Goldfinger to co-produce the series. The story follows young lawyer Ingrid Yun who is about to become the first minority woman to partner in a prestigious old law firm whilst balancing her family, friends and expectations. Arden Cho, known for her role in Teen Wolf, is set to play Ingrid alongside Bradley Gibson, Dominic Sherwood, Rob Heaps and Alexandra Turshen. The first season will have ten episodes with a potential season two, though no news of this as of yet. It is out now, available to stream on Netflix.
In the works
Anne Hathaway to star in The Idea of You adaptation
Stemming from a popular Harry Styles fanfiction, The Idea of You is set to be released on Prime Video and has cast Anne Hathaway as its lead and executive producer. The novel of the same name by Robinne Lee revolves around Sophie, a forty-year-old divorcee. Sophie saves her daughter’s Coachella trip after her ex-husband cancels on her last minute. Whilst on the trip with her daughter, she meets Hayes Campbell, a twenty-four-year-old lead singer of boy band, August Moon. Joining Hathaway on the project, Michael Showalter will direct, with Cathy Schulman, Gabrielle Union and Robinne Lee executive producing. Production is set to begin in October, so we’ll keep our eyes peeled for further news.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret coming soon
Lionsgate is set to release the upcoming film based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume. It is set to be directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig with the cast to star Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Benny Safdie. When it initially released back in the 1970s, the book met with criticism due to its approach towards sexual and religious topics. Despite facing censorship, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret became one of the bestsellers for its exploration of adolescence. The story centres around eleven-year-old Margaret Simon (Fortson) who moves from New York City to New Jersey and embarks on a journey to discover her religious identity whilst going through puberty. The film is planned to be released on 28 April 2023.