Tuesday 1 December 2009

One to look out for in 2010? Gollancz signs debut adult novel by the co-creator of ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles'

From the press release...

Gollancz, the SF and fantasy imprint of The Orion Publishing Group, has bought three adult novels by bestselling young adult author Holly Black, one of the co-creators of the hugely successful ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’. The first title, “The White Cat”, will be published as a lead title in June 2010.

Simon Spanton, deputy Publishing Director at Gollancz, bought the three titles from Nancy Miles at The Miles Stott Literary Agency, acting on behalf of Barry Goldblatt, for a good six-figure sum in a hotly fought auction.

The Spiderwick Chronicles, co-created by Tony DiTerlizzi, have become an international children’s publishing phenomenon, spawning computer game adaptations and a major motion picture, released in 2008.

“The White Cat” is a contemporary fantasy set in a world where magic has been outlawed since 1929 and the small number that practice it have been driven underground and into crime. Cassel is a part of one of America ’s biggest crime families, but the only member who can’t perform magic. Cursed by the memory of the girl he murdered, he finds school a trial and home life much worse. His brothers hate him, his mother is in prison and no one will ever let him forget that he isn’t a magic worker. But Cassel is about to discover the secrets at the heart of his family and the lies that surround his life.

“It’s rare to find a book that combines being so totally engaging with being so utterly disquieting,” said Simon Spanton. “Holly manages that balancing act with aplomb. She also pulls off another extraordinary sleight of hand by combining a darkly drawn picture of life in a dysfunctional family with a fable of magic and the price we must pay for it. The world building is subtle but rich and deep, the characters pull you in and the magic is properly scary. Holly is going to delight her existing readers with this book but the exciting thing for me is the prospect of winning her a whole new readership – readers who are going to fall in love with Cassel but who are also going to be fearful for him and fearful of him. I can’t wait to publish this book and I’m delighted to be able to welcome Holly Black to the Gollancz list.”

“The White Cat” is published on June 17, 2010 by Gollancz


Magic and the Mafia? Sounds like something I'd be interested in reading...

2 comments:

Neverwhere said...

It's interesting that they're calling Spiderwick 'young adult' when they're very much children's literature, and neglect to mention her excellent, *actual* YA novels like Tithe and Ironside. :)

Holly Black is a fun author, I look forward to seeing what she does differently (if anything) for the adult market, as her Teen books seem to be just as popular with adults already.

Mardel said...

Holly Black is reported to be a good writer. I have a book by her, but haven't read it yet. It's good to know she'll be writing some "grown-up" books.

Neverwhere - I just finished reading the first Spiderwick novel to a group of 3rd graders (I'm a library tech), I agree, it's not Young Adult, no way.