Blog Archives

Björg Ægisdóttir Wins Iceland's Storytel Award

3/30/2023

Congratulations to client Eva Björg Ægisdóttir, who has won Iceland's prestigious Storytel Award, in the 'Best Novel' category, for the prequel to her Forbidden Iceland series, You Can't See Me.

The Awards are the Nordic region's largest audiobook award. Around 130,000 Nordic audiobook listeners vote for their favourites.

Storytel themselves is one of the world’s largest subscribed audiobook and e-book streaming services and offers listening and reading of more than 500,000 titles on a global scale. Their vision is to "make the world a more empathetic and creative place with great stories to be shared and enjoyed by anyone, anywhere and anytime".

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DHH News Roundup 20th - 26th March 2023

3/25/2023

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We were very happy to welcome Jane Crowther to the Agency last week.

Film journalist Jane, who is currently the editor-in-chief of Total Film magazines, the vice chair of The London Film Critics’ Circle and a member of BAFTA and the Critics’ Choice Association, joined Harry Illingworth's list and is working on her debut novel, a super inventive, gender-flipped, contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby for the influencer age

Congratulations to Heather Darwent, whose debut novel The Things We Do To Our Friends, reached the Top 10 on the UK Kindle chart as a result of the book having a coveted Kindle Daily Deal spot. Top work!

End of Story by Louise Swanson (also known as Louise Beech) was published last week. This highly-anticipated dystopian thriller is set ten years from now, in a world where fiction has been banned by the government. The Appeal author, Janice Hallett says "As much a ride as a read ... Absolutely show-stopping."

And in Louise Beech news, her memoir Daffodils (originally published by Bolinda in audiobook, and coming out as Eighteen Seconds in paperback and eBook next month from Mardle Books), has been shortlisted for the Audie Awards 2023.

The memoir is a very frank and raw account of Louise's childhood, and the bridge incident that shook her family to the core.

Winners will be announced on 28th March 2023.

The cover reveal for Anita Frank's forthcoming new novel, The Good Liars (August 2023, HQ), has been revealed!

In the hot summer of 1914 a boy vanishes, never to be seen again.

Now, in 1920, the once esteemed Stilwell family of Darkacre Hall find their already troubled lives thrown into disarray when new evidence leads to the boy’s case being reopened – and this time they themselves are under police scrutiny.

As the dead return to haunt the living, old resentments resurface and loyalties are tested, while secrets risk being unearthed that could destroy them all.

Perilous Times, the debut fantasy novel from Thomas D. Lee has received a fantastic quote from both Kings of the Wyld author, Nicholas Eames, and Ithaca author, Clare North:

"Wow, what a book. Hilarious, heartwarming, and harrowing all at once, with such a fun, fresh twist on the Arthurian legend. All great fantasy is escapist, but this one offers a hard—and quite necessary—dose of reality as well." Nicholas Eames

"Angry, funny, grounded in a vital, urgent reality and soaring with joyous fantasy - a needful delight of a book." Claire North

The book will be published in May this year by Little, Brown's Orbit imprint and was also featured in a Goodreads article, listing the biggest new fantasy titles from Spring 2023.

Also published this week was the paperback for Graham Bartlett's debut, Bad For Good, and the hardback for the follow-up, Force of Hate.

Set in modern-day Brighton, within a corrupt police force, the series has been described as "like Line of Duty on crack"!

Vital Organs, the second book from medical historian and TikTok sensation, Suzie Edge, has been revealed:

From Napoleon's penis to Van Gogh's ear, from Marie Antoinette's teeth to Marie Curie's bone marrow, this book brings together the remarkable stories of body parts that have made history.

We have always used and abused bodies. We've torn them apart, dug them up, experimented on them or taken bits home to display as trophies. Body parts have been used for propaganda in wars and pulled off in punishment. They've answered medical mysteries, been turned into relics and even saved lives.

Now TikTok sensation and medical historian, Dr Suzie Edge, brings us a history of the world's most famous body parts told through its most notable limbs, organs, and appendages, including how Queen Victoria's armpit led the development of antiseptics; why Percy Shelley's heart refused to burn; and the strange case of Hitler's right testicle.

The book will be published by Wildfire in September 2023.

Finally, congratulations to Mandy Robotham, who has sold two "scandalous" and sexy historical novels to Aria, under the pen-name M. J. Robotham.

The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux was acquired by Aria's Rachel Faulkner-Wilcocks in a two-book deal, negotiated by Broo Doherty.

Publishing in January 2024, and taking the form of a faux autobiography of eponymous author Ruby, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux is set in the second half of the 20th century. It follows the life story of a woman determined to live life on her own terms as she navigates the latter half of the 20th century, from suburban life during the war ... To Venice and war-torn Vietnam, meeting men and adventure along the way.

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Aria acquires two historical novels from Robotham

3/25/2023

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Aria has acquired two historical novels from M. J. Robotham, a pen name of author Mandy Robotham. The world English language deal was brokered by Aria editorial director Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks and Broo Doherty of the DHH Literary Agency. The first book, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux, will publish in hardback, e-book and audio, in January 2024.

Taking the form of a faux autobiography of eponymous author Ruby, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux is set in the second half of the 20th century. It follows the life story of a woman "determined to live life on her own terms as she navigates the latter half of the 20th century, from suburban life during the war to [...] Venice and war-torn Vietnam, meeting men and adventure along the way".

Faulkner-Willcocks said: "I’ve honestly not encountered many characters as brilliant as Ruby Devereaux. Her memoirs, drawn from her by a mercenary publisher, are a delightful and empowering rollercoaster ride through recent history, written through Ruby’s unique perspective, and of course with Mandy’s trademark flair and impeccable research. Reading on submission, I had to remind myself that Ruby was a fictional character, she felt so real to me. We’re hugely excited to bring her story to the world."

Robotham added: "I’m so delighted to be joining the team at Aria with a new slant to my writing. Ruby has been sitting on my shoulder for the past two years, making me laugh with her incorrigible ways, and so it’s high time she went out into the world again, this time in print. I only hope the world is ready for her!"

Doherty commented: "Reminiscent in tone to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this is a monumental book, both in terms of the history it covers so engagingly, but also in terms of Ruby herself. Her story is quite simply scandalous but utterly phenomenal."

Robotham holds an MA in Creative Writing and now writes full-time as Mandy Robotham following a career as a midwife.

From The Bookseller article | Melina Spanoudi

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DHH News Roundup 13th - 19th March 2023

3/16/2023

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Congratulations to Stuart Turton, whose second book, The Devil and the Dark Water, has been shortlisted for the Japan Writers' Association's Mystery Award, in the international category.

The book was originally published by Bloomsbury Raven in 2020 and is a gripping historical mystery, set aboard a ship travelling from Batavia to Amsterdam, chock full to the brim with vivid characters, an intricate plot and supernatural forces to boot!

The winner will be announced on the 11th May.

Out later this week, we are delighted to reveal that End of Story by Louise Swanson is one of Magic Radio's Book of the Month for March!

"Dealing with complex and heart-breaking issues with incredible imagination, you’ll be drawn in ‘til the very last page."

We are delighted to reveal the cover for One, the new speculative thriller from Eve Smith, set in a near-future Britain, where a One-Child policy is ruthlessly enforced.

Harry Illingworth sold World English Language rights to One and another, as yet untitled book, to Karen Sullivan. One is due for publication in July this year.

To read the full announcement, click here.

The forthcoming debut novel from Sarah K. Jackson, Not Alone, has picked up two fantastic reviews in the past week:

"Ecologist Jackson makes her debut with this engrossing postapocalyptic cli-fi thriller that will have readers anxiously turning the pages and questioning their use of plastic."
Library Journal

"Impressive ... The narrative gets its power from little details, including Katie’s efforts to occupy and entertain her son in a world without toys or social contact. Admirers of Lauren Beukes’s Afterland will be riveted."
Publishers Weekly

Not Alone will be published by Picador in next month.

Mortal Monarchs by Suzie Edge has sold Chinese rights to the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences Press.

Originally published in September 2022, the book is a deep dive into the various - and varied - ways the monarchs of both England Scotland met their makers. With a keen eye for detail and a masterful command of language that is both informative and accessible, Edge brings these iconic figures to life, right on the page.

Her second book, Vital Organs, will be published by Wildfire in September 2023.

Congratulations to Tom Hindle, who this week saw the hardback of his second book, The Murder Game, bypass the 5,000 copies sold mark! An astonishing achievement and one that is richly deserved. With a vibrant cast of characters, clever twists and turns and a relentless pace, The Murder Game is an addictive read that will leave readers breathless. Pick up your copy now!

Finally, we were over the moon to hear that both M. W. Craven and Graham Bartlett have been shortlisted for the CrimeFest Awards 2023 (in association with Specsavers).

Up for the Best ePub Crime Award is Craven's The Botanist, the fifth outing for his bestselling Washington Poe series.

And nominated for the Best Debut Crime Award is Bartlett's Bad For Good, the first in his Cs Jo Howe series.

Congratulations, both!

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Eve Smith signs two more speculative thrillers with Orenda Books

3/15/2023

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Not the Booker longlisted author of The Waiting Rooms and Off Target, Eve Smith, has signed a further two-book deal with current publisher Orenda Books.

Harry Illingworth sold World English Language Rights to Karen Sullivan at Orenda, and the first in the deal, One, is a speculative thriller set in a near-future Britain, where a One-Child policy is ruthlessly enforced.

Of the deal, Sullivan said: "We are absolutely thrilled to sign a new contract with Eve Smith, for two more of her outstanding speculative thrillers, the first of which, One, is absolutely breathtaking in its scope, intelligence and

imagination. The premise is stunning: A young woman’s job of enforcing climate-emergency Britain’s one-child policy is compromised when she discovers a personal link to an illegal sibling on the ministry hit-list, leading to a shocking discovery that changes everything. Eve's world-building is so believable, so prescient, it's almost terrifying.

Eve is a true talent in a very crowded market, and her ability to weave topical issues, science and an authentic glimpse of our potential future into exceptionally paced, beautifully written and exceedingly tense narratives is quite simply second to none. To have your debut thriller compared to Michael Crichton is an exceptional feat, and speaks volumes about Eve's prowess. We cannot wait to publish more of her extraordinary, blockbuster thrillers."

Smith said: "I am so excited to continue working with Karen and the Orenda Books team who have really championed me and my writing, and always supported my dystopian visions with the greatest enthusiasm! I can't wait for my next thriller, One, to hit the shelves this summer."

One will be published in July later this year.

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DHH News Roundup 6th - 12th March 2023

3/12/2023

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Congratulations to Stephen Edger (aka M. A. Hunter), who has signed a four-book deal with Boldwood Books.

Emily Glenister sold World English Languages to Boldwood's Emily Yau, and the first in the deal, Adrift, will be published in May 2023.

Released just over a week ago, Stephen Moss' Ten Birds That Changed the World has received a wonderful write-up in the Guardian:

"The book is packed with remarkable facts and figures ... Moss is also a companionable narrator, often mixing personal recollections into the science and natural history, such as his trip as a boy to the Tower of London with his mother, where he first saw the ravens, which have been associated with the site since medieval times. A fascinating study of the fraught relationship between human beings and our feathered friends."

Read the full review here.

To coincide with the book's publication, Stephen appeared on the podcast, Confessions of a Bookseller, talking to host David Headley.

You don’t need to be a bird enthusiast to enjoy the episode, in which they discuss the book’s captivating journey, showing how birds influence our lives and culture, from ancient civilisations to modern day. Plus, listeners will get an insight into Stephen’s literary journey and how the book came to be.

Louise Swanson's forthcoming End of Story has been included in Comospolitan's list of 'Best New Books for March 2023'. The book also received glowing reviews from the below publications:

"End of Story is unsettling, twisty, emotional, and so expertly written that you live every dark, discomforting moment with its protagonist. Not just a highlight of March, expect this book to be a highlight of the year."
Culturefly

"This dystopia is as disturbing as it is absorbing."
Best

Additionally, a list of dates for Louise's book signings and appearances has been revealed and if you find yourself nearby on a given date, why not take yourself along? You do not want to miss this stunning dystopian thriller. But remember, do not trust this book.

E. V. Seymour has signed another deal with Joffe Books, this time for Hotter Than July. Broo Doherty sold World English Languages, with the book due for publication later this year.

As Verity peels back the layers of her mother's life, she realises that you never know who your parents really are. And maybe that's for the best...

Stay tuned for more news about this gripping new thriller!

Finally, the cover has been revealed for the aforementioned Adrift by M. A. Hunter:

When Pete and his friends set sail on a private yacht in the Balearics to celebrate Fergus’ upcoming wedding, they’re all looking forward to sun, sea and copious quantities of alcohol.

But there’s a reason they are still entwined in each other’s lives a decade after leaving university. A terrible event they’ve all been trying their hardest to forget.

They say you can’t outrun the past … And these six friends are about to find that out the hard way.

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M. A. Hunter to Boldwood in four-book deal

3/7/2023

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Congratulations to Stephen Edger, who has signed a four-book deal with Boldwood Books, writing under the name M. A. Hunter.

Emily Glenister sold World English Languages, and the first in the deal, Adrift, a locked-room mystery with a twist, will be published in May this year.

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DHH News Roundup 27th February - 5th March 2023

3/6/2023

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With a new month comes a myriad new eBook deals to take advantage of and there are some crackers included in March's Kindle Monthly Deal, where you can get the below books for just a fraction of their usual price!

Simply click on the book jacket above to take you straight to the deal.

The US cover for Thomas D. Lee's debut novel, Perilous Times was uncovered last week:

In perilous times like these, the realm doesn't just need a hero.
It needs a knight in shining armour.

Sir Kay and his fellow knights awake from their mythical slumber whenever Britain has need of them; they fought at Agincourt and at the Somme. But in these perilous modern times, the realm is more divided than ever, a dragon has been seen for the first time in centuries, and Kay is not the only ancient and terrible thing to come crawling up out of the ground...

Perilous Times is a fiercely entertaining contemporary take on the myths of Camelot, which asks: what happens with the Knights of the Round Table return to fix the problems of the modern world?

The book will be released in May later this year.

Having just been released in paperback last month, Victoria Selman's new book, Truly, Darkly, Deeply has climbed to no.5 in the Heatseekers' Chart, which calculates authors making the charts for the first time. The book is currently a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for spring.

The hardback of the book, which came out last summer went straight into The Sunday Times top ten bestsellers.

Stephen Moss' Ten Birds That Changed the World was published in hardback, eBook and audiobook last week.

For the whole of human history, we have lived alongside birds. We have hunted and domesticated them for food; venerated them in our mythologies, religion and rituals; exploited them for their natural resources; and been inspired by them for our music, art and poetry.

In Ten Birds That Changed the World, naturalist and author Stephen Moss tells the gripping story of this long and eventful relationship through ten key species from all seven of the world's continents. From Odin's faithful raven companions to Darwin's finches, and from the wild turkey of the Americas to the emperor penguin as potent symbol of the climate crisis, this is a fascinating, eye-opening and endlessly engaging work of natural history.

Congratulations to M. W. Craven, who last week saw two of his Washington Poe titles snap up more foreign rights sales:

The Botanist was sold to Ikar in Slovakia and Hayakawa in Japan.

The Mercy Chair has also sold to Hayakawa in Japan.

Published last week was the paperback of David Fennell's second Grace Archer book, See No Evil. This comes hot on the heels of the cover reveal for the third in the series, The Silent Man.

Two men are found dead in London's Battersea Park. One of the bodies has been laid out like a crucifix - with his eyes removed and placed on his open palms.

Detective Inspector Grace Archer and her caustic DS, Harry Quinn, lead the investigation. But when more bodies turn up in a similar fashion, they find themselves in a race against time to find the sadistic killer.

The hunt leads them to Ladywell Playtower in Southeast London, the home to a religious commune lead by the enigmatic Aaron Cronin. Archer and Quinn suspect Cronin's involvement but his alibis are watertight, and the truth seemingly buried. If Archer is to find the killer, she must first battle her way through religious fanatics, London gangsters - and her own demons...

Finally, a very warm welcome to new client, Amber A. Logan.

Amber, who is the author of The Secret Garden of Yanagi Inn, has joined Harry Illingworth's list, and you can read more about Amber here.

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Björg Ægisdóttir Wins Iceland's Storytel Award

DHH News Roundup 20th - 26th March 2023

Aria acquires two historical novels from Robotham

DHH News Roundup 13th - 19th March 2023

Eve Smith signs two more speculative thrillers with Orenda Books

DHH News Roundup 6th - 12th March 2023

M. A. Hunter to Boldwood in four-book deal

DHH News Roundup 27th February - 5th March 2023

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