By Alice Warburton, Georgie Cutler and Eva Lee
Acquisition News
Simon and Schuster snap up The Duchess of Cornwall’s Biography
Simon and Schuster have bought the rights to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall: A Royal Survivor, written by Angela Levin. World rights were acquired from Barbara Levy by Ian Marshall, Deputy Publishing Director. The book is set to “shed light on how the Duchess of Cornwall has transformed herself from being a royal outcast…to becoming one of the key figures in the royal family” (The Bookseller). Levin, who has previously written three books on the royal family, noted that she had “discovered a remarkable woman who is a great asset to the royal family.” The book will be released later this year in September 2022.
Atria Books announce Sequel to Coleen Hoover’s Viral Phenomenon It Ends With Us
Simon and Schuster imprint Atria Books have announced a sequel to the hit BookTok novel It Ends With Us. Publishing later this year in October, It Starts with Us will follow Lily Bloom and Atlas Corrigan’s narrative. Hoover said she was “honoured to pick up where we left off with Lily and Atlas’s story, and can’t wait to share this journey with my friends at Atria Books” (S&S News). World rights were acquired from Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret by Libby McGuire.
Flipped Eye Publishing Founder’s Second Novel Goes to Peepal Tree Press
Nii Ayikwei Parkes’s second novel, Azúcar, is set to publish early on in 2023. Set on a fictional Spanish–speaking Caribbean island, it is “both satire and romance,” that explores “what it means to belong to a place.” UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, were acquired from David Godwin at David Godwin Associates, by Jeremy Poynting. French rights were pre–empted by Laure Leroy at Éditions Zulma.
From book to screen
What to watch?
The return of Bridgerton on Netflix
After the success of the first series, Bridgerton is coming back for its second series this March. Returning to the regency period, the second series of the Netflix show will follow the second book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, The Viscount Who Loved Me. This book follows Anthony, the oldest of the Bridgerton brood, as he finally decides to settle down and marry, only to be hindered by his prospective spouse’s older sister, Kate. The Netflix original will feature a returning cast from the first series with a couple of new additions, including Sex Education’s Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma. The first series of Bridgerton is on Netflix at the moment and the second series will arrive on 25 March 2022.
Crime Thriller The Weekend Away on Netflix
Based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Alderson, The Weekend Away is a crime thriller and will follow the story of two best friends who enjoy a trip to Croatia but turns for the worst as one dies and the other becomes a suspect with a mystery to uncover the truth. The film will be directed by Kim Farrant along with Alderson for the screenplay. The cast will star Leighton Meester and Christina Wolfe as best friends alongside Ziad Bakri and Luke Norris. The Weekend Away will be released on 22 March.
In the works
Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles series to be adapted for film
An animated adaptation of the young adult series The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer is in the works. The rights for the series were acquired by Locksmith Adaptation, the team behind Ron’s Gone Wrong (2021). The deal was negotiated on behalf of Meyer by CAA and Jill Grinberg Literary Management. The Lunar Chronicles series is made up of four novels, Cinder, Scarlet, Cress and Winter, and two novellas, Fairest and Stars Above. The books were originally published between 2012 and 2015 and work to reimagine the fairy tales we know and love in a futuristic, steampunk world. At the time of publication, there is no word on when production will start or who will direct the project.
Luckiest Girl Alive coming to Netflix Starring Mila Kunis
The novel published in 2015 by Jessica Knoll is to release a film adaptation on Netflix. Based on the novel of the same name, the plot will follow a successful New York businesswoman Ani who is forced to face the traumatic experiences of her past. Luckiest Girl Alive will be directed by Mike Barker known for his works such as Broadchurch and The Handmaid’s Tale working alongside Knoll who is set to write the script. The leading cast will star Mila Kunis for the main role as Ani along with Finn Wittrock, Scoot McNairy, Thomas Barbusca, Jennifer Beals and Connie Britton. Filming for the series has wrapped up and is set to be released sometime in spring 2022.
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