By Alice Warburton, Georgie Cutler and Eva Lee
Acquisition News
Harvill Secker Snags Rights to Jaded
Harvill Secker has brought rights to debut novel Jaded written by Ela Lee in a two-book deal. World rights were acquired by Deputy Publishing Director, Katie Ellis-Brown and Assistant Editor, Dredhëza Maloku with North American rights by Carina Guiterman at Simon & Schuster US. The central theme of the book explores race, power and identity following the journey of a mixed-race lawyer in London. Lee, who is also a lawyer, and wrote the book during the pandemic, says she had “no expectations for what would come of it” and was “blown away by the passionate response to Jaded” (The Bookseller). The novel is set to be released in Spring 2024.
Hodder and Stoughton Snatch Three New Books from Bestselling Author Chloe Gong
Publishers Hodder and Stoughton are set to publish Gong’s new trilogy. The first instalment, Immortal Longings, will be published in 2023, and is Gong’s first venture into adult fantasy. Gong herself confirmed that it is inspired by “Shakespeare’s Anthony and Cleopatra and the historic Kowloon Walled City.” Amara Hoshijo, Editor at Saga Press, acquired rights for North America. It will be published by Simon and Schuster Audio simultaneously in the US as an audiobook. Chloe Gong is famous for her bestselling series These Violent Delights.
Faber to Publish Illustrated Bedtime Anthology
Independent publishers Faber & Faber are set to publish a collection of stories by authors such as Ingrid Persuad and Hannah Lee, alongside illustration by Sarah McIntyre. Faber themselves described it as a “sumptuous bedtime anthology [which] features tales that are full of hope, courage, and brimming with positivity!” Rights were acquired by Leah Thaxton, and the novel will be published on the 6 October 2022.
From Book to Screen
Pachinko comes to Apple TV+
An adaptation of the multigenerational family saga by Min Jin Lee is set to stream on Apple TV+ this month. Based on the 2017 novel, Pachinko follows a Korean family’s move to Japan in the 20th century and their struggle to survive. The show will host a star-studded cast, featuring the likes of Lee Min-ho, Youn Yuh-jung, Jin Ha and Kim Min-Ha. The screenplay for the eight-part series was written by Soo Hugh and directed by Kogonada and Justin Chon. The first three episodes of Pachinko will be available to watch on 25 March, with the show’s finale being released on 29 April.
In the works
Series Adaptation of Notes on an Execution
The rights for Danya Kukafka’s Notes on an Execution have been bought by John Wells Productions. The thriller was only released this year and depicts the last days of a serial killer, Ansell Packer, on death row from the viewpoint of three women in his life. This deal was brokered by Ned Haspel (John Wells Production) and CAA. As of yet, there has been no release date for the project.
The Time Traveler’s Wife adapted into a Web Series
HBO Max is set to stream The Time Travelers Wife as a web series, with a film adaption released back in 2009. The novel written in 2003 by Audrey Niffenegger is set to be adapted into six episodes with the screenplay written by Steven Moffat, known for producing the TV series Doctor Who, and will be directed by David Nutter. Rose Leslie and Theo James will be acting as the main couple alongside Desmin Borges and Natasha Lopez. The series will follow Henry (James) who lives with a rare disorder that allows him to time travel back and forth leading him to build a romantic relationship with his to-be wife Clare (Leslie). It will follow the relationship between the couple and the unpredictable moments that arise. The Time Travelers Wife will premiere sometime in spring 2022.
Everything I Know About Love on BBC One
The 2018 memoir written by journalist and Sunday Times columnist Dolly Alderton is set to be adapted into a short series on BBC One. Since publication it has won the 2018 National Book Award for Autobiography and was shortlisted for 2019 Non-Fiction Narrative Book of the Year. The coming-of-age story will follow two childhood friends and their trials of life in becoming adults through friendships, love, jobs, and personal stories filled with heartache and comedic moments. The seven-part series is set to be written by Alderton and will be directed by China Moo-Young. As for the casting, Emma Appleton and Bel Powley will be playing best friends alongside Marli Siu, Jordan Peters, Aliyah Odoffin, Connor Finch and Ryan Bown. As of now, there is no release date, though there are speculations the series will air in 2022 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.