HarperCollins have acquired World English Rights to The Black Hawks by David Wragg, a fantasy debut in which a band of mercenaries take on corrupt religious authorities.

Natasha Bardon, publishing director at HarperVoyager, acquired rights to two books from Harry Illingworth at DHH Literary Agency. 

Slated for publication on 19th August, The Black Hawks, which begins a planned duology, follows an idealistic soldier who finds himself escorting a selfish prince to safety after an attack on his nation's capital. Pursued by assassins and fanatics, they join a company of deadly, constantly bickering, mercenaries to cross a landscape torn apart by conflict. 

Bardon said: "The Black Hawks is a lot of fun. I love epic fantasy with pithy, quick-witted characters and Dave's has it in spades. I think readers will thoroughly enjoy this terrific debut."

Illingworth said Wragg's debut "has everything that I love in a fantasy novel; whilst it can be dark, it is constantly hilarious in the vein of Scott Lynch or Kings of the Wyld, with a writing style comparable to Joe Abercrombie. The dialogue is razor sharp, the world big, the writing intelligent and the cast of characters superb." 

(Take from The Bookseller article | Katie Mansfield

It’s all go here at DHH, as we prepare for the London Book Fair 2019. Here are some of the highlights from last week.
 
Ragnar Jonasson’s The Darkness reached No.5 on the Amazon Top 100 eBooks, across all genres, and is a No.1 Bestseller under ‘Norse & Icelandic Sagas’. The follow-up to Ragnar’s new Hidden Iceland series, The Island, will be released on 4 April 2019. Pre-order here.

Rumblestar, the forthcoming book in Abi Elphinstone’s new The Unmapped Chronicles series was Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller. This magical adventure boasts a cast of dazzlingly colourful characters and will be released on 30 May 2019. Pre-order here.

We are thrilled that we can finally share the news of Anita Frank’s deal with HQ! Frank’s debut novel, Greyswick, was bought by Kate Mills at HQ in a deal negotiated by David Headley. The book is a spine-tingling tale, set towards the end of the First World War and follows nurse Stella who is sent to recuperate at a house with a tragic past. You can find out more here.
 
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton was back in the Saturday Times Top 10 last week, at No.8.

​Finally, we’d like to welcome new client Essie Fox to the DHH fold. Essie will be working with David Headley on her new novel, and we are thrilled to have her on board. Welcome, Essie!

HQ has acquired a ghostly debut, Greyswick, and one other novel written by Anita Frank.

Publishing director Kate Mills bought World English Rights from David Headley.

Set towards the end of the First World War, the novel follows nurse Stella, who having witnessed the death of her fiancé in Flanders, is sent to recuperate at a house with a tragic past. When she hears crying in the night and sees small footsteps appearing on the stairs, Stella teams up with a cynical wounded soldier in trying to establish the source of the house's unrest - "with deeply disturbing results", HQ said. 

"I was completely captivated by Greyswick," Mills said. "A beautifully told spine-tingler, it is at once deeply moving and utterly chilling. At a time when few families were untouched by the war, Anita Frank's novel explores grief and loss and the rise of spiritualism in the post-Edwardian era. It's one of those novels you can just lose yourself in; with a nod to the classic ghost story, heart-breaking yet hopeful, and I know it will cast a spell on readers this autumn."

Headley said: "As soon as I read Greyswick I knew I had a gem. In the hands of Kate and HQ, it is the perfect home for this novel and I can't wait for readers to discover this hugely talented storyteller."

Frank said: "Having grown up in a haunted farmhouse, I have always been fascinated by ghost stories, so for my debut novel it seemed obvious to combine my love of history with the intrigue of the supernatural. I am absolutely thrilled to now be working with Kate and her team at HQ and am most grateful to David for championing Greyswick from the start."

Frank worked for the Financial Times Information Group and the British Bankers' Association and is now a full-time carer for her youngest child, who is disabled.

(Taken from The Bookseller article | Heloise Wood)

Kicking off this week’s newsletter with congratulations to Julie Caplin, as TWO of her Romantic Escapes books have had good news this week: The Little Brooklyn Bakery has landed at No. 3 in the Heat Seekers’ List, and The Little Café In Copenhagen has been shortlisted for the Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award 2019, by the Romantics Novelists’ Association (RNA). We’ve got our fingers and toes crossed!

Joanna Toye was on Wolverhampton Community Radio (WCR FM) last weekend to talk about her debut novel A Store At War. Missed it? Don’t fret, you can catch up here. 

​Two fabulous DHH books were published this week: the paperback of Anna Jacobs’ third in her Ellindale series, One Special Village, and Phyllida Shrimpton’s second YA novel The Colour of Shadows.

Kobo are having a Lovers & Haters Valentine’s Day sale, and whether you are the former or the latter, one of the DHH titles included in the sale will be just for you: Puzzle Girl by Rachael Featherstone and What Was Lost by Jean Levy. Find out more here.
 
It’s been announced that YA author Kate Mallinder will be appearing at YA Fest on Sunday 12th May as part of the Debut Authors panel (chaired by Noah Can’t Even author, Simon James Green), to discuss her novel Summer of No Regrets. If you fancy going along to hear a plethora of fabulous debut talents talk about their upcoming books, you can book tickets here.

Luke Turner’s non-fiction debut Out of the Woods has been made Attitude magazine’s Book of the Month, describing it as “captivating and poignant”. Do not miss this important book.

Finally, there were also three cover reveals, and each of them are absolutely gorgeous: Rocco and the Price of Lies by Adrian Magson (April 2019, The Dome Press); Black Summer by M.W. Craven (June 2019, Constable & Robinson) and the paperback cover for Wrecker by Noel O’Reilly (March 2019, HQ). 

As you may know, the Costa Book Awards was last week and we want to start with a hearty congratulations to Stuart Turton, whose debut novel The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was nominated for the First Novel Award. Though it wasn’t this year’s winner, we are immensely proud of Stuart and everything that Evelyn has achieved so far. Just this week, the book was included in the Sunday Times Pick of the Paperbacks and described as “ingenious” and rose to No.5 in the eBook chart.

White Lilies, the third in the DI Jack Dylan series by R.C. Bridgestock was published last week, and this is the third book that has been revised and republished by the Dome Press. These new editions, with original cover artwork, would be a fantastic addition to anyone’s bookshelves and at the end of February, you can expect a new DI Jack Dylan book, Poetic Justice, a prequel which takes you back to where it all began.
 
Last week it was announced that Penguin Random House Children’s will be publishing James Goodhand’s debut YA novel, Last Lesson after an auction sale for World Rights, negotiated by Harry Illingworth. The book tackles mental health in teens and toxic masculinity and tells the story of Ollie Morcombe, a once start pupil who, following an accident, is now an outcast and a target of the school bullies who make his life hell. On the last day of school he brings those bullies a gift - a homemade pipe bomb. Last Lesson will be published in spring 2020. 

Looking for something to listen to on the commute, or on a rainy afternoon? Luke Turner’s conversation with Olivia Laing at the London Review Bookshop was made in to a podcast and you can listen here. Alternatively, Luke was also on BBC Radio with Robert Elms discussing his debut non-fiction Out of the Woods.
 
Thrilled for client Phyllida Shrimpton, whose debut YA novel Sunflowers In February (Hot Key Books) has been longlisted for the Branford Boase Awards 2019. This funny and beautiful novel has been breaking hearts cracking smiles since its publication in February 2018, and its place on this longlist is incredibly deserved. Congratulations, Phyllida!

Congratulations to James Goodhand, whose debut YA novel, Last Lesson has been sold to Penguin Random House Children's. 

Last Lesson is about Ollie Morcombe, a once star pupil who, following an accident, is now an outcast and a target of the school bullies who make his life hell. On the last day of school he brings those bullies a gift - a homemade bomb pipe.

James, who works as a car mechanic and wrote a lot of the book at his workbench, was one of DHH's original #PitchDHH-ers back in April 2017, and we couldn't be more thrilled for him. 

PRH Children's Ben Horslen bought world rights at auction from Harry Illingworth and the "eye opening" book is due for publication in spring 2020. 

​To read the full press release, click here. 

We’d like to start this week’s roundup with a huge congratulations to Luke Turner whose debut non-fiction, Out of the Woods was published this week. Searingly honest, the book has already gathered some wonderful praise, was featured in this week’s Books In the Media from The Bookseller,  and we know it is going to fly.
 
Similar congratulations go to M.W. Craven and the first book in his ‘Washington Poe’ series, The Puppet Show, also published last week in paperback.
 
Sainsbury’s launched its Romantic Fiction promo, which runs in selected stores for four weeks as of 24th January 2019. Included in this fab – and very timely, with Valentine’s Day round the corner – promo, are Lizzie Lovell’s The Juniper Gin Joint, Julie Caplin’s The Little Brooklyn Bakery and Jo Thomas’ A Winter Beneath the Stars. As the cold weather seems to be here for a while, these are the perfect books to curl up with in front of a fire – cup of hot chocolate and snuggly blanket not optional.
 
Also in a promotion this week is Stuart Turton’s The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, which features in the Buy One Get One Half Price WHSmith High Street Stores promo, running until the 6th February. 

We’re thrilled with the French campaign for Anna Jacobs’ ‘Cassandra’ series, Cassandra et ses soeurs and Le destin de Cassandra. The campaign is featured in tonnes of railway stations across France, including Paris. Vive la France!

The cover for Anna Stephens’ Bloodchild, the third in the Godblind series was revealed this week, and it is a STUNNER. It follows in the same vein as the first two (Godblind and Darksoul) and would make a gorgeous addition to your bookshelf… hint, hint… Available to pre-order now. 

Picked up this week’s copy of MyWeekly yet? If not, all the more reason to, as Phillipa Ashley has written a gorgeous piece, My Life In Fiction, where she details the books that meant something to her, both as a child and adult. The cover for Phillipa’s new book will be revealed later today (Monday 28th January), so keep your eyes peeled!

Congratulations to R.C. Bridgestock, whose second DI Jack Dylan book, Consequences, was published last week. This follows the first, Deadly Focus and the third, White Lilies will be out at the end of January.
 
Luke Turner’s debut non-fiction, Out of the Woods was reviewed in both the Guardian “a book to get lost in”, and Caught By the River “A compelling account of the insidious power of shame”. This book is gathering more and more positive attention, and we are so happy for Luke, his agent Natalie Galustian and publishers Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Ahead of publication, we are thrilled to see Phyllida Shrimpton’s second YA novel, The Colour of Shadows has garnered over 140 first impressions over on readersfirst.co.uk. Readers First is a fantastic platform for readers to give their first impressions on a book based on the description, a “sneak peek” and cover. After the huge success of Phyllida’s debut YA novel Sunflowers In February, we cannot wait for her second to hit shelves on 7th February 2019. Fancy writing your own first impression? Click here. 

The cover for Anna Jacobs’ One Perfect Family, the fourth in the Ellindale series, was revealed last week. Looking for a heart-warming and gripping series of family, love and loyalty? Look no further. Ellindale awaits you…
 
We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that Joanna Toye will be appearing at Wolverhampton Literary Festival on 3rd February at 12.30pm to discuss her debut novel A Store At War. If you want to know more about this event, click here. 

​Staying with Joanna Toye, we were thrilled to see her very special book get a mention in Yours magazine ‘Don’t Miss This’ feature… we heartily agree!

Some lovely deal news now. Stuart Turton’s The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle has sold to Thailand (Maxx Publishing), Ukraine (Vivat) and Bulgaria (Ednorog), making that over 20 territories that book has been sold in.
 
We are welcoming two news authors to the DHH stable this week: Linda Regan (represented by David H Headley), and Bethan James (represented by Harry Illingworth). 

Finally, you may have seen on social media that the opening Abi Elphinstone’s World Book Day title (and prequel to her new Unmapped Chronicles series), Everdark is now available to read on Book2Look. Abi is known for her staggering ability to create truly magical worlds, allowing children to dream big and refuse to let anything stand in their way. If you’d like to read the beginning of the introduction to her new series, click this link and spend some time in Crackledawn. 

​We’re kicking off this week’s news roundup with the fantastic news that The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton has won the Costa First Novel Award 2018! We are over the moon for Stuart, his agent Harry and the whole team at Bloomsbury Raven. A superb beginning to the year. The overall winner of the Costas will be announced on the 29th January 2019.
 
Congratulations to Rachael Featherstone, whose debut novel Puzzle Girl was published in paperback earlier this week by the Dome Press. It has already garnered some fabulous praise during the blog tour “hugely entertaining”, “an hilarious but considered storyline” and possibly our favourite so far: “I’m just going to say this… I love, love, love, LOVE this book! The end”.
 
A Store At War, the debut novel by Joanna Toye, was also published this week by HarperCollins. This gripping wartime drama that has been described by Veronica Henry as “a real page-turner”.
 
The Guardian has selected their ‘ones to watch’, and Luke Turner’s Out of the Woods is sitting firmly on their list for January. Described as a “powerful memoir”, the book is centred on Epping Forest, about sexual abuse, a religious upbringing and life as a bisexual man. It will be published on the 24th January 2019. To see the full article, click here.
 
Staying with Out of the Woods, The Spectator’s Ben Myers reviewed it this week, and what a fantastic review it is! “Out of the Woods is a book full of poetry and pathos. More than anything it is a bold and beautiful study of how to be a true modern man.” To read the full review, click here.

​The cover for Kate Mallinder’s debut YA novel, Summer Of No Regrets, has been revealed and it’s already got us in the mood for the warmer seasons! Simply stunning, this thought-provoking & moving novel will be released by Firefly Press on the 2nd May 2019.
 
Also revealed this week, was the cover for Tania Crosse's new novel The Street of Broken Dreams, the second in the Banbury Street series. Perfect for fans of Elaine Everest and Daisy Styles, this is a poignant story, which will tear at your heart-strings.

​eBook platform Kobo are having a January sale, and you can snap up J.D. Fennell’s Sleeper: The Red Storm, Jean Levy’s What Was Lost and R.C. Bridgestock’s Deadly Focus, all for a fraction of the price. Click here to find out more.
 
Andrew Ewart’s forthcoming debut novel Forget Me (February 2020, Orion) has been sold to Dobrovsky in the Czech Republic.
 
Both The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and Anna Stephens’ Darksoul (the second in the Godblind trilogy) have been longlisted for the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA) Award. The Awards are awarded each year to the best Novel, Short Fiction, Artwork and work of Non-Fiction, and is voted for by the members of the British Science Fiction Association. To find out more about the Awards, click here.
 
Finally, DHH agent Hannah Sheppard is taking part in the Girls Can Do Anything, Write? event (part of the larger Girls Can Do Anything event in conjunction with London’s Big Read 2019) on the 6th February at the Library Club on St. Martin’s Lane. The event will be a discussion and panel talk (along with fellow panellists Charlie Morris, senior publicity and marketing exec at Stripes Books, Little Tiger and Sunday Times bestselling author Gillian McAllister) centred around understanding the relevance and importance of strong female voices in publishing and books 2019. To find out more about the event and get your ticket, please visit this site.  

We're having a small (okay, HUGE) celebration in the DHH office this morning as Stuart Turton's "mind-blowing" and "audaciously inventive" debut novel, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle has won the First Novel Award at the Costa Awards 2018! 

Beating off stiff competition, the book has already garnered high praise from the likes of literary heavyweights Sophie Hannah "utterly original and unique", Sarah Pinborough "darkly comic, mind-blowingly twisty" and Ragnar Jonasson "an incredibly enjoyable read", and was the winner of the Books Are My Bag Novel Award 2018, and shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown 2018. 

The overall winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award 2018 will be announced on the 29th January 2019. 

​Congratulations, Stu!