Krien’s debut novel ‘Act of Grace’ sold to UK

Black Inc. has sold UK and Commonwealth rights (ex ANZ and Canada) to accomplished nonfiction author Anna Krien’s forthcoming debut novel Act of Grace to Serpent’s Tail. Acquiring editor Hannah Westland described the novel as ‘the most ambitious and accomplished debut novel I can remember reading for a long time’. Act of Grace spans several distinct locations as it follows four characters wrestling with trauma and inheritance.

North American rights to Madeleine Ryan’s forthcoming debut novel A Room Called Earth (due to be published by Scribe in ANZ and the UK) have been sold to Penguin Random House USA by the Barbara J Zitwer Agency. Ryan’s novel is told through the eyes of a young autistic woman as she gets ready for and attends a party.

Acquisitions

Hachette Australia has acquired ANZ rights to Allie Reynolds’ debut novel Shiver—a ‘high-concept’ locked-room thriller set in the French Alps—in partnership with Headline UK following a 10-way auction for UK and Commonwealth rights. Shiver follows five snowboarders who meet up years after one of their competitors mysteriously disappeared.

Hachette Australia has also acquired ANZ rights to Richell Prize winner Sam Coley’s novel State Highway One. The novel tells the story of twins who embark on a road trip across New Zealand after the unexpected deaths of their parents.

Transit Lounge has acquired world rights to Kirsten Krauth’s novel Almost a Mirror, which was recently shortlisted for the Penguin Literary Prize. The novel centres on a post-punk music venue in 1980s Melbourne and ‘explores the power of music, art and photography to shape our lives’.

Allen & Unwin’s UK arm has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding ANZ and Canada) to Sophie Hardcastle’s novel Below Deck, about woman and her experiences of life at sea during her 20s, which explores ‘the vagaries of consent, about who has space to speak, and who is believed’. The UK acquisition comes after ANZ rights to the novel were acquired by A&U Australia for a six-figure sum earlier this year.

Screen adaptations

Paramount Pictures has acquired the film rights to Adrian McKinty’s forthcoming crime-thriller The Chain (Hachette), which has already been sold into more than 30 countries. The Chain tells the story of Rachel, whose 11-year-old daughter has been kidnapped and will be released only when she kidnaps another child. She is now part of ‘The Chain’—‘a terrifying and meticulous chain letter-like kidnapping scheme that turns parents from victims into criminals’.

For the latest Australian rights sales and acquisitions news, click here.

Category: Think Australian rights