The Broken Binding Publishing acquires Anna Stephens' 'twisty fantasy' in two-book deal

The Broken Binding Publishing has acquired Anna Stephens’ “compelling and twisty fantasy” in a two-book deal. Marcus Gipps, publishing director at Broken Binding, acquired world English rights to An Honesty of Thieves and an untitled sequel, from Harry Illingworth from DHH Literary Agency. 

An Honesty of Thieves will be published in March 2027. 

The synopsis reads: “The thieves known as the Diamond Prince and Sweet Moonlight are the scourge of the glittering yet corrupt city of Akkanholme, preying on the rich as they compete against each other to pull off ever more daring thefts. But when they are abducted and told they must commit five impossible heists, or die, the predators become prey. Who is their mysterious, masked abductor? What is the truth behind Akkanholme’s glitzy facade? To find out, they’re going to have to achieve the impossible. Which starts, unfortunately, with trusting each other.”

Stephens is the author of the Godblind and Songs of the Drowned trilogies, and has also written for Black Library in their Age of Sigmar and Warhammer Horror imprints, and for Marvel Comics through their previous tie-in publisher, Aconyte Books. She also runs writing courses through Magic and Mayhem Author Academy and is an editor and mentor with The Write Advice.

Stephens said: “I’ve been a huge admirer of The Broken Binding right from the start. Their passion for books, whether trad or indie, has always been clear, and it’s been wonderful to see them expand into publishing as well as retail and bring that same excitement and dedication to championing new and existing authors. When they brought Marcus in as editor, I knew straightaway I wanted to send them a manuscript, and I couldn’t be happier that An Honesty of Thieves has found a home with them. I can’t wait to bring the tale of Sweet Moonlight and the Diamond prince to readers alongside their expertise.”

Gipps said: “It’s a delight to welcome Anna Stephens to the ever-growing Broken Binding list, with her excellent fantasy caper An Honesty of Thieves. Expect double crossing, cross-dressing, magic, sex, death and romance. What more could you want?”