It has been announced on Publishers Marketplace that DHH client and British debut author Anna Stephens' GODBLIND, the first in a grimdark series full of fight scenes and intrigue has had US rights bought. The book pits the followers of the bloodthirsty Red Gods, exiled for a thousand years, against the thriving kingdom of Rilpor, and only one man, a Watcher who can glimpse the future, has a chance of stopping the invasion. Rights have been sold to Bradley Englert at Skyhorse by Cameron McClure at Donald Maass Literary Agency on behalf of Harry Illingworth at DHH Literary Agency, in a three book deal, for publication as a lead title in Spring 2017.

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​UK rights pre-empted by Harper Voyager
German pre-empted by Blanvalet
French rights sold to Bragelonne
 
For Foreign rights enquiries please contact Jemma McDonagh: jemma@marsh-agency.co.uk
For film/TV please contact Emily Hayward Whitlock: emily@theartistspartnership.co.uk

Client Jo Thomas has signed a new three-book deal with Headline, which was also home to her first three books, The Oyster Catcher, The Olive Branch and Late Summer In the Vineyard.

Emily Griffin, Senior Commissioning Editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, including Canada and said of the acquisition: "From the moment Jo joined the Headline list we knew we had someone very special on our hands. Each of her books guarantees the perfect armchair escape, whether to the vineyards of France or the mountains of Crete, and a gorgeous story bubbling with Jo’s trademark magic and humour. She is a star in the making and we couldn’t be more excited for her future."

Jo Thomas said: "I am delighted to be signing with Headline for another three books. They have done a fantastic job of turning the worlds in my head into novels for others to enjoy and I cannot wait to share more funny, sunny, foodie stories with my readers."

The first title in the new deal will publish in 2018 in export trade paperback, ebook and paperback formats and will be set in the cherry orchards of Andalucía.

Lucinda Hawksley's new book, Bitten By Witch Fever, has been published and here at DHH, we are a little obsessed with the cover of this beautiful book. 

‘As to the arsenic scare a greater folly it is hardly possible to imagine: the doctors were bitten as people were bitten by the witch fever.’ ― William Morris on toxic wallpapers, 1885. Bitten by Witch Fever presents facsimile samples of 275 of the most sumptuous wallpaper designs ever created by designers and printers of the age, including Christopher Dresser and Morris & Co. For the first time in their history, every one of the samples shown has been laboratory tested and found to contain arsenic. Interleaved with the wallpaper sections, evocative commentary guides you through the incredible story of the manufacture, uses and effects of arsenic, and presents the heated public debate surrounding the use of deadly pigments in the sublime wallpapers of a newly industrialized world.

​Get your copy here.

Alison Hennessey, editorial director at Bloomsbury, acquired UK & Commonwealth rights to The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and his as yet unnamed second book from Harry Illingworth at the DHH Literary Agency, in a hotly contested auction.

A high-concept murder mystery set during a weekend party at a crumbling mansion, the narrator of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle must repeat the same day over and over again until he can identify the killer of the beautiful young heiress, Evelyn Hardcastle, and break the cycle.
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Author Sophie Hannah has already said that the book “blew my mind”.
“It is utterly original and unique,” she said. “I couldn't get it out of my head for days afterwards.”

The book, described as “Gosford Park meets Groundhog Day, by way of Agatha Christie”, will be published as a “lead title” on Hennessey’s new imprint in early 2018.

​Congratulations, Stu!
 
Click here to see the full Bookseller article.
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A very exciting day here at the DHH offices, because Phillipa Ashley's new book, Christmas at the Cornish Cafe, is out today! It is the second in her hugely successful Penwith series, the first being Summer at the Cornish Cafe...

Christmas will be slightly less turbulent than summer, won’t it? Demi certainly hopes so.
She and Cal are keeping their fledgling relationship under wraps for now. But then Kit Bannen, a hunky, blond – and somewhat mysterious – writer arrives at Kilhallon Resort, and not everyone is charmed. Cal is sure that Kit is hiding something. But is he the only one guarding a secret?
Demi is busy baking festive treats for the newly opened Demelza’s cafe, but when Cal’s ex Isla arrives to shoot scenes for her new drama, Demi can’t help but worry that things aren’t quite over between them. Kit flirts with both women, fuelling Cal’s suspicions that Kit has hidden motives for staying on at Kilhallon. Then Cal has to go to London, leaving Demi and Kit to decorate the cafe for Christmas . . . all by themselves.
A storm is brewing in more ways than one. As surprises unfold and truths are uncovered, can Demi and Cal finally open up to each other about their feelings?

​Click here to buy the book!

Client Claire Dyer has penned and performed a reading called The Oracle in aid of National Poetry Day (today!) for BBC Radio Berkshire.

​Click here for the link.

The Oracle
When the doors are locked at night
​The children of the workhouse come.
I hear their footsteps,
Their small hands on escalator rails,
Their laugh sudden under the glass-dark sky.
They chatter as they touch the clothes, the shoes.
Their eyes are bright with thinking.
They remember Minster Street; the name Kendrick
Is stitched on their hems, their faces lit by stars.
​They are here to foretell how it will be
- speak of space travel, autumn mornings,
the tenacity of love -
Stay with me until the soft hours
Until the waiters, baristas, shoppers
​Wake to walk the river's edge,
​Messages on their phones.