By Georgie Cutler, Eva Lee, Emma Leask, Molly Pearce and Niamh Parr
Acquisition News
Twigg’s Literary Debut Signed by Tinder Press
Amy Twigg’s debut literary novel Spoilt Creatures has been signed by Tinder Press, the literary imprint from Headline, and will be published as their lead fiction title for 2024. Before having her novel officially signed, Twigg won the Blue Pencil Agency Pitch Prize and was also longlisted for the Blue Pencil Agency First Novel Award and the Mslexia Novel Competition. After winning the Pitch Prize, Twigg signed with literary agent Charlotte Seymour at Johnson & Alcock; Seymour subsequently sold the rights for Spoilt Creatures to Ellie Freedman at Tinder Press. The premise of Spoilt Creatures revolves around cults, female rage and transgression, following main character Iris as she spends her summer at a women’s commune in rural Kent. The tale takes a dark turn as a group of men infiltrate the commune, and acts of suspicion and violence inevitably follow. Make sure to keep a lookout: Spoilt Creatures is expected to be published in June 2024.
Transworld Acquires Gamble’s Memoir
Ed Gamble, co-host of the Off Menu podcast and stand-up comedian, is releasing his first book with Transworld, currently expected for publication on 26 October 2023. World rights to Glutton: The Multi-Course Life of a Very Greedy Boy were acquired by Editorial Director Henry Vines. Gamble’s memoir will chart his lifelong passion for food and cooking, from childhood up to adulthood where he has now developed a passion for cooking his own gourmet dishes. The book is guaranteed to be a laugh-out-loud read, with Gamble’s classic comedic tone no doubt woven throughout his life story told through his love for food. Perfect for fans of the Off Menu podcast and Gamble’s time on Taskmaster, the memoir will offer an insight into Gamble’s world of food from the perspective of a person with type 2 diabetes, and, as in his own words, a “very greedy boy.”
From Book to Screen
What to Watch?
The Crowded Room coming to Apple TV+
Prepared for another thriller series coming to Apple TV+? The Crowded Room, based on the 1981 novel titled The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, is set for an adaptation starring Spider-Man star Tom Holland as the main lead. The series follows Danny Sullivan, who is arrested for his involvement in a shooting in New York City in 1979. We will see Danny’s life through a series of interviews with a psychologist guiding him, which leads Danny to unfold the story in more detail and recover some memories of the incident. Along with Holland, the main cast will include Amanda Seyfried and Emmy Rossum. There’s not long to wait as the ten episode series will be released on 09 June 2023 on Apple TV+.
Love Again in cinemas across the UK
Sofie Cramer’s 2009 novel Text for You, having been adapted initially into a 2016 German-language film SMS für Dich, has now been remade into an English-language film titled Love Again. The film stars Priyanka Chopra (Quantico) and Sam Heughan (Outlander), as well as Celine Dion and Nick Jonas. The story follows Chopra’s character Mira, as she struggles to cope with the death of her fiancé by sending text messages to his number. The number, however, was not disconnected, now belonging to journalist Rob Burns. Infatuated with the passionate texts, Burns begins to fall for the woman behind the phone. When assigned the task of profiling Celine Dion, he asks her for advice on how to captivate Mira’s heart. Love Again is romantic, funny and heartfelt. It is currently out in cinemas across the UK.
In the Works
Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor to star in The History of Sound film
Based on Ben Shattuck’s Pushcart Prize-winning short story, The History of Sound focuses on two young men – Lionel and David – falling in love in the midst of World War I. It shall be directed by Oliver Hermanus (Living), who was so enamoured by Shattuck’s work that they “had to be involved in its journey to the screen” (Variety). It was recently revealed that Paul Mescal (Normal People) and Josh O’Connor (The Crown) have been attached to the project. They will take on the roles of Lionel and David respectively. After three years of postponement, Hermanus finally posted an update on their Instagram story revealing that the project was going ahead. At the time of writing, there has been no release date set for the project. For now, you can read the original story The History of Sound in The Common.