Tag: Kristina Perez

Alexia Casale’s SING IF YOU CAN’T DANCE is out tomorrow!

Posted on Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

Alexia Casale‘s new novel, SING IF YOU CAN’T DANCE is out tomorrow in the UK! Published by Faber, here’s the synopsis…

An entirely original and much needed authentic perspective from a teenager coming to terms with her disability as she’s coming of age.

Ven has her future all planned out. Her dance group is going places and so is she… Then she collapses. On stage.

In hospital, Ven discovers that she has a medical condition – one that threatens to ruin everything. No more dancing… walking is challenging enough. But she doesn’t want your pity. Ven is determined to have a big, exciting life. Sure, her future might be different, but it’s not over… Because if you can’t dance, you can always sing!

Refreshing, uplifting and original, Sing if you Can’t Dance is the unforgettable story of a teenager living life on her own terms.

Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received so far…

‘Without minimising her pain and limitations, Casale has written a flawed and fascinating heroine who is far more than her disability.’ — Financial Times

‘I’ve never read a book like this before. I’m obsessed with Ven and you will be too.’ — Holly Bourne

‘Soars with hope and heart.’ — Louisa Reid

Josh Winning’s BURN THE NEGATIVE Out in Three Weeks!

Posted on Thursday, June 22nd, 2023

Josh Winning‘s highly-anticipated new horror/mystery masterpiece, BURN THE NEGATIVE is out in three weeks! Due to be published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons on July 11th, here’s the synopsis…

Thirty years hiding from her past.
Eight deaths still unexplained.
One haunted horror film.
Nowhere left to run.

Journalist Laura Warren is mid-flight to L.A. when she learns that the streaming series she’s about to report on is a remake of a ’90s horror flick. A cursed ’90s horror flick. The one she starred in—and has been running from her whole life.

As a child star, Laura was cast as the lead in The Guesthouse. She played Tammy Manners, the little girl with the terrifying gift to tell people how the Needle Man would kill them. But her big break was her last, as eight of her cast and crew mates died in mysterious ways, and the film became infamous—a cult classic of fictional horror that somehow summoned the real thing. Hoping to move on, Laura changed her name and her accent, dyed her hair, and moved across the Atlantic Ocean.

But some scripts don’t want to stay buried.

After landing, Laura finds a yellow dress like the one she wore in the movie. Then the words “She’s here” scratched into the wall in an actor’s trailer. And then people working on the series start dying. It’s all happening again, and Laura finds herself on the run with her sister and a jaded psychic, hoping to find answers—and to stay out of the Needle Man’s lethal reach.

An homage to slasher films with a fresh take on the true price of fame, Burn the Negative is a twisty thriller best read with the lights on.

Here are just a few of the great early reviews the novel has received so far…

‘A pulpy exploration of the monsters we make and a love letter to cult-classic frights.’ — Kirkus

‘Like the classic horror cinema it gleefully riffs on, Winning’s latest [BURN THE NEGATIVE] crackles with both dread and dazzle… Winning keeps readers guessing… while throwing out crafty winks and nods to well-known horror films and their makers, and driving his tale to a cinematically spectacular finale with several surprising plot twists. Horror fans should grab the popcorn for this bloody and entertaining romp.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘A spine-tingling, rip-roaring yarn that hearkens back to the thrills and chills of the best ’80s slasher horror. Hand this to readers who liked The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix, My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, or My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.’ — Library Journal

‘BURN THE NEGATIVE is a creepy, twisty, compulsively readable haunted house of a book built from horror movies and our obsessive response to them. You’ll root for Laura and fear the Needle Man. Be sure to make the popcorn and dim the lights.’ — Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts

Winning’s debut novel, THE SHADOW GLASS is also available, published by Titan Books in North America and in the UK.

FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE Out now!

Posted on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023

Khadija Van Brakle‘s debut novel, FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE is out now! Published by Holiday House, the novel is also a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! Here’s the synopsis…

Fatima Tate wants to be a baker AND enjoy some innocent flirting with her hot friend Raheem — but her strict Muslim parents would never approve of either…

Seventeen-year-old Fatima Tate, aspiring baker (100% against her conservative parents’ wishes), leads a pretty normal life in Albuquerque: long drives with BFF Zaynab, weekly services at the mosque, big family parties, soup kitchen volunteering (the best way to perfect her flaky dough recipe!), stressing about college.

But everything changes when she meets a charming university student named Raheem. Knowing the ‘rents would FREAK, Fatima keeps their burgeoning relationship a secret… and then, one day, her parents and his parents decide to arrange their marriage. Amazing! True serendipity!

Except it’s not amazing. As soon as the ring is on Fatima’s finger, Raheem’s charm transforms into control and manipulation. Fatima knows she has to call the whole thing off, but Raheem doesn’t like to lose. He threatens to reveal their premarital sexual history and destroy her and her family’s reputation in their tight-knit Muslim community.

Fatima must find the inner strength to blaze her own trail by owning her body, her choices, and her future. Combining the frank authenticity of Elizabeth Acevedo and the complex social dynamics of Ibi Zoboi, FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE is a powerful coming-of-age story that gives a much-needed voice to young Black Muslim women.

Check out a couple of the great reviews the book has received so far…

‘Fatima is a fierce protagonist who will stop at nothing to preserve her dignity. Skillful examinations of the intersections between culture, gender, and religion, as well as nuanced perceptions of one Black Muslim community, round out VanBrakle’s searing debut.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Looks at underrepresented issues within Muslim communities, making a case for forging one’s own path.’ — Kirkus Reviews

WE DON’T SWIM HERE by Vincent Tirado — Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023

Vincent Tirado‘s latest chilling YA horror novel, WE DON’T SWIM HERE, is out today! Published by Sourcebooks Fire, here’s the synopsis…

Anais knows the rules keep everyone in Hillwoods safe. Her cousin is intent on breaking them. A new, chill-inducing YA Horror for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson and Lamar Giles.

Bronwyn is only supposed to be in rural Hillwoods for a year. Her grandmother is in hospice, and her father needs to get her affairs in order. And they’re all meant to make some final memories together. 

Except Bronwyn is miserable. Her grandmother is dying, everyone is standoffish, and she can’t even go swimming. All she hears are warnings about going in the water, despite a gorgeous lake. And a pool at the abandoned rec center. And another in the high school basement.

Anais tries her hardest to protect Bronwyn from the shadows of Hillwoods. She follows her own rituals to avoid any unnecessary attention—and if she can just get Bronwyn to stop asking questions, she can protect her too. The less Bronwyn pays attention to Hillwoods, the less Hillwoods will pay attention to Bronwyn. She doesn’t get that the lore is, well, truth. History. Pain. The living aren’t the only ones who seek retribution when they’re wronged. But when Bronwyn does more exploring than she should, they are both in for danger they couldn’t expect.

Tirado’s acclaimed debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is also available, published by Sourcebooks Fire.

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

‘BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ v Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

Vincent Tirado’s BURN DOWN, RISE UP: New North American Paperback Edition Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, April 4th, 2023

The new paperback edition of Vincent Tirado‘s BURN DOWN, RISE UP is out now in North America! Published by Sourcebooks Fire, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

The paperback edition is available in the UK from May 4th. Tirado’s next novel is WE DON’T SWIM HERE, which is also due to be published by Sourcebooks Fire on May 4th.

Here are just a few of the reviews BURN DOWN, RISE UP has received…

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

‘BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ — Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

New Paperback Cover for Vincent Tirado’s BURN DOWN, RISE UP!

Posted on Friday, February 24th, 2023

The paperback edition of Vincent Tirado‘s BURN DOWN, RISE UP is getting a creepy new cover! Due to be published by Sourcebooks Fire on May 4th, here’s the synopsis…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

Tirado’s next novel is WE DON’T SWIM HERE, due out in May, also via Sourcebooks Fire.

Here are just a few of the reviews BURN DOWN, RISE UP has received…

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

‘BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ — Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

Coming Soon: FATIMA TAKES THE CAKE by Khadija VanBrakle!

Posted on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023

This summer (June 13th, to be exact), Holiday House are due to publish Khadijah VanBrakle‘s YA contemporary fiction debut, FATIMA TAKES THE CAKE! The news has already been met with plenty of excitement online. Here’s the synopsis…

Fatima Tate wants to be a baker AND enjoy some innocent flirting with her hot friend Raheem—but her strict Muslim parents would never approve of either…

Seventeen-year-old Fatima Tate, aspiring baker (100% against her conservative parents’ wishes), leads a pretty normal life in Albuquerque: long drives with BFF Zaynab, weekly services at the mosque, big family parties, soup kitchen volunteering (the best way to perfect her flaky dough recipe!), stressing about college. But everything changes when she meets a charming university student named Raheem. Knowing the ‘rents would FREAK, Fatima keeps their burgeoning relationship a secret… and then, one day, her parents and his parents decide to arrange their marriage. Amazing! True serendipity!  

Except it’s not amazing. As soon as the ring is on Fatima’s finger, Raheem’s charm transforms into control and manipulation. Fatima knows she has to call the whole thing off, but Raheem doesn’t like to lose. He threatens to reveal their premarital sexual history and destroy her and her family’s reputation in their tight-knit Muslim community. Fatima must find the inner strength to blaze her own trail by owning her body, her choices, and her future. Combining the frank authenticity of Elizabeth Acevedo and the complex social dynamics of Ibi Zoboi, FATIMA TATE TAKES THE CAKE is a powerful coming-of-age story that gives a much-needed voice to young Black Muslim women.

SHIELD MAIDEN by Sharon Emmerichs is Out Now!

Posted on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023

Sharon Emmerichs‘s highly-anticipated debut novel, SHIELD MAIDEN is out now in the UK! Published by AdAstra/Head of Zeus, it is a feminist retelling of the Beowulf saga. Here’s the official synopsis…

Having grown up hearing tales of her uncle, the great King Beowulf, Fryda’s one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet a terrible childhood accident has left Fryda disabled – thus, she believes, thwarting her dream of becoming a warrior-woman for good. But still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself.

Meanwhile, a great celebration of Beowulf’s reign is underway, and Fryda’s house is soon overrun with foreign kings and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry, a discovery is made that threatens the safety of Fryda’s entire clan – and her own life. Enraged, Fryda resolves to fight for her people, no matter the cost… and all the while, her powers seem only to grow stronger.

But she is not the only one to feel its effects. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep…

Here are just a few of the reviews/blurbs the novel has received so far…

‘Casts a superb spell… Shimmering with detail, with a propulsive plot to match.’ — D.K. Fields

‘Fantastic fun… An entrancing story of power and peril, presenting a side to the sagas we have never seen before.’ — Ian Green

‘A heroine with a generous spirit, an unshakable will and a dragon’s fury.’ — H. M. Long

‘A fast-paced and addictive interpretation of one of the stories in the Beowulf saga. I did not want to put this book down. The storytelling is beautiful, and I loved the tender love story woven into the adventure plot. It’s made me want to read more about Beowulf too; I hope the author will dip back into the world in another book.’ — Clem F. (NetGalley Reviewer)

‘If like me you enjoy a good dose of mythology, and/or a good historical fiction, then I think this book will be right up your raiding party.’ — Louise P. (NetGalley Reviewer)

Sharon Emmerich’s SHIELD MAIDEN is out Next Week!

Posted on Tuesday, January 24th, 2023

SHIELD MAIDEN, the highly-anticipated debut novel from Sharon Emmerichs is out next week! Due to be published by AdAstra/Head of Zeus on February 2nd, here’s the synopsis…

Having grown up hearing tales of her uncle, the great King Beowulf, Fryda’s one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right. Yet a terrible childhood accident has left Fryda disabled – thus, she believes, thwarting her dream of becoming a warrior-woman for good. But still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself.

Meanwhile, a great celebration of Beowulf’s reign is underway, and Fryda’s house is soon overrun with foreign kings and chieftains. Amidst the drunken revelry, a discovery is made that threatens the safety of Fryda’s entire clan – and her own life. Enraged, Fryda resolves to fight for her people, no matter the cost… and all the while, her powers seem only to grow stronger.

But she is not the only one to feel its effects. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep…

Here are a handful of the great early responses the novel has received so far…

‘Casts a superb spell… Shimmering with detail, with a propulsive plot to match.’ — D.K. Fields

‘Fantastic fun… An entrancing story of power and peril, presenting a side to the sagas we have never seen before.’ — Ian Green

‘A heroine with a generous spirit, an unshakable will and a dragon’s fury.’ — H. M. Long

‘A fast-paced and addictive interpretation of one of the stories in the Beowulf saga. I did not want to put this book down. The storytelling is beautiful, and I loved the tender love story woven into the adventure plot. It’s made me want to read more about Beowulf too; I hope the author will dip back into the world in another book.’ — Clem F. (NetGalley Reviewer)

‘If like me you enjoy a good dose of mythology, and/or a good historical fiction, then I think this book will be right up your raiding party.’ — Louise P. (NetGalley Reviewer)

Vincent Tirado’s WE DON’T SWIM HERE — Out in May 2023!

Posted on Friday, December 16th, 2022

Today, we’re very happy to share the cover for Vincent Tirado‘s upcoming chilling YA horror novel, WE DON’T SWIM HERE. Due to be published by Sourcebooks Fire, on May 2nd, 2023, here’s the synopsis…

Anais knows the rules keep everyone in Hillwoods safe. Her cousin is intent on breaking them. A new, chill-inducing YA Horror for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson and Lamar Giles.

Bronwyn is only supposed to be in rural Hillwoods for a year. Her grandmother is in hospice, and her father needs to get her affairs in order. And they’re all meant to make some final memories together. 

Except Bronwyn is miserable. Her grandmother is dying, everyone is standoffish, and she can’t even go swimming. All she hears are warnings about going in the water, despite a gorgeous lake. And a pool at the abandoned rec center. And another in the high school basement.

Anais tries her hardest to protect Bronwyn from the shadows of Hillwoods. She follows her own rituals to avoid any unnecessary attention—and if she can just get Bronwyn to stop asking questions, she can protect her too. The less Bronwyn pays attention to Hillwoods, the less Hillwoods will pay attention to Bronwyn. She doesn’t get that the lore is, well, truth. History. Pain. The living aren’t the only ones who seek retribution when they’re wronged. But when Bronwyn does more exploring than she should, they are both in for danger they couldn’t expect.

Tirado’s acclaimed debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is available now, also published by Sourcebooks Fire.

‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly

‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist

‘BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ v Bookish Brews

‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author

‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore

ICYMI: SHIELD MAIDEN by Sharon Emmerichs Acquired by Head of Zeus!

Posted on Tuesday, August 9th, 2022

We’re very happy to report that Kristina Peréz has sold World Rights to SHIELD MAIDEN by Sharon Emmerichs, to Head of Zeus! The deal was announced a little while ago in BookBrunch and Publishers Marketplace.

The ‘stunning fantasy debut’ novel, which features ‘a fierce young woman reclaiming her power’ and ‘will upend everything you think you know about Beowulf.’

Rosie de Courcy at Head of Zeus had the following to say about the book and the deal:

‘The moment Kristina Pérez told me she had a novel to sell featuring Beowulf, a wounded shield maiden and a dragon, I felt that prickle of excitement familiar to all acquiring editors. Shield Maiden is everything I hoped it would be and more. We are going to have so much fun publishing it.’

The novel is due to be published in February 2023, via Head of Zeus’s Ad Astra imprint. Here’s an early synopsis for the novel…

Fryda has grown up hearing tales of her uncle, King Beowulf, and his spectacular defeat of the monstrous Grendel. Her one desire is to become a shield maiden in her own right, but a terrible accident during her childhood has thwarted this dream. Yet still, somehow, she feels an uncontrollable power begin to rise within herself. But she is not the only one to feel the effects of her new-found battle-magic. For, buried deep in her gilded lair, a dragon is drawn to Fryda’s untamed power, and is slowly awakening from a long, cursed sleep…

Congratulations Sharon! We look forward to being able to share the cover and more details, when we get closer to publication.

Zeno at YALC!

Posted on Tuesday, July 5th, 2022

YALC is this weekend, as part of the London Film & Comic Con. Zeno will be nicely represented by two of our agents — Stevie Finegan and Kristina Pérez, both of whom will be taking part in Agent 1-2-1s on Saturday, July 9th (1pm) in the Agent Arena.

In addition to Stevie and Kristina, two of our authors are also going to be attending!

Josh Winning, the author of the acclaimed debut THE SHADOW GLASS (Titan), will be taking part in the “Try the Fantasy” panel, which will ‘discuss the fun and fantastical world of fantasy YA fiction, and why we can’t get enough of these magical worlds.’

Here’s the synopsis for THE SHADOW GLASS…

Jack Corman is failing at life.

Jobless, jaded and on the “wrong” side of thirty, he’s facing the threat of eviction from his London flat while reeling from the sudden death of his father, one-time film director Bob Corman. Back in the eighties, Bob poured his heart and soul into the creation of his 1986 puppet fantasy The Shadow Glass, a film Jack loved as a child, idolising its fox-like hero Dune.

But The Shadow Glass flopped on release, deemed too scary for kids and too weird for adults, and Bob became a laughing stock, losing himself to booze and self-pity. Now, the film represents everything Jack hated about his father, and he lives with the fear that he’ll end up a failure just like him.

In the wake of Bob’s death, Jack returns to his decaying home, a place creaking with movie memorabilia and painful memories. Then, during a freak thunderstorm, the puppets in the attic start talking. Tipped into a desperate real-world quest to save London from the more nefarious of his father’s creations, Jack teams up with excitable fanboy Toby and spiky studio executive Amelia to navigate the labyrinth of his father’s legacy while conjuring the hero within –– and igniting a Shadow Glass resurgence that could, finally, do his father proud.

Vincent Tirado, debut author of the acclaimed BURN DOWN, RISE UP (Sourcebooks Fire), will be taking part in the “History Repeating” panel, which will ‘explore the challenges and triumphs that come with bringing history back to life in new and exciting ways.’

Here’s the synopsis for BURN DOWN, RISE UP…

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.

For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.

Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.

ICYMI: Josh Winning’s Next Novel is BURN THE NEGATIVE!

Posted on Monday, May 9th, 2022

In case you missed the news, Josh Winning has a new novel on the way! Announced in Publishers Weekly a few days ago, the next book will be BURN THE NEGATIVE, which has been sold to G. P. Putnam’s Sons! We don’t have a firm publication date, cover, nor synopsis just yet, but we’ll be sure to share them as soon as we do.

Congratulations, Josh!

We’re sure fans of Josh’s debut novel, THE SHADOW GLASS (Titan Books), will find much to love in his next novel, which is another tale connected to nostalgic horror/fantasy and entertainment.

DEFYING THE DRAGON, Taiwanese Edition Coming Soon!

Posted on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021

We’re happy to report that Stephen Vines‘s DEFYING THE DRAGON has been acquired by Rive Gauche, to be published in Taiwan! The rights were sold by Jennifer Lee at the Grayhawk Agency, on behalf of Kristina Pérez of Zeno.

DEFYING THE DRAGON is already available in the UK and North America; published by Hurst Publishers and Oxford University Press, respectively. Here’s the synopsis…

Defying the Dragon tells a remarkable story of audacity: of how the people of Hong Kong challenged the PRC’s authority, just as its president reached the height of his powers. Is Xi’s China as unshakeable as it seems? What are its real interests in Hong Kong? Why are Beijing’s time-honoured means of control no longer working there? And where does this leave Hongkongers themselves?

Stephen Vines has lived in Hong Kong for over three decades. His book shrewdly unpacks the Hong Kong–China relationship and its wider significance — right up to the astonishing convergence of political turmoil and international crisis with Covid-19 and the 2020–21 crackdown.

Vividly describing the uprising from street level, Vines explains how and why it unfolded, and its global repercussions. Now, the international community is reassessing relations with Beijing, just as Hong Kong’s rebellion and China’s handling of the pandemic have exposed the regime’s weakness. In a crisis that has become existential all round, what lies ahead for Hong Kong, China and the world?

Here are just a few of the reviews the book has received so far…

‘A detailed chronicle of Hong Kong’s fight in the face of repression. Anyone who cares about Hong Kong and China will definitely want to read this book.’ — Joshua Wong, Hong Kong’s most famous democracy advocate

‘Written with honesty and integrity, [DEFYING THE DRAGON] chronicles a critical moment in Hong Kong’s history as the city prepares for an unclear future.’ — Post Magazine

‘A definitive, compelling account of a drama that has gripped the world. Vines interweaves frontline reporting, insights from key players and a local’s knowledge to chronicle Hong Kong’s defiant challenge to the might of Xi Jinping’s China.’ — Philip Sherwell, Asia correspondent, The Sunday Times

‘A superb book about Beijing’s ruthless and depressing efforts to stamp out Hong Kong’s freedoms, erode its rule of law and attack its identity as an open society. Vines, a brave and distinguished journalist, sets this sad story of a great international city within the brutal politics of the Chinese regime.’ — Lord Chris Patten, last British governor of Hong Kong

‘One of the most important stories of our times of the fight against authoritarian regimes. The best way to understand China is through the lens of Hong Kong’s struggles.’ — Nathan Law, leading democracy activist

‘A compelling narrative set against two major crises facing China — control of Hong Kong and unprecedented international pushback. With his signature dry wit and razor-sharp pen, Vines skewers Quislings, dysfunctional bureaucracies and self-interested elites, arguing that we shouldn’t bet against Hongkongers just yet.’ — Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China and Adjunct Professor, New York University

ICYMI: Josh Winning’s THE SHADOW GLASS Acquired by Titan Books!

Posted on Wednesday, April 21st, 2021

In case you missed the news from Bookseller earlier in the week: Titan Books has acquired World English rights to Josh Winning‘s THE SHADOW GLASS from Zeno Associate Agent Kristina Pérez!

The novel is pitched as ‘Dark Crystal meets About a Boy in a race against the clock to stop bloodthirsty puppets from taking over the world’, and has been described as ‘a witty and loving tribute to the history of cinema, wrapped up in a latter-day coming-of-age story about the legacy of family’. It is due to be published in March 2022.

Titan Editor Craig Leyenaar had this to say about the novel:

‘I absolutely adored THE SHADOW GLASS from the first page, filled with nods and winks to classic fantasy films where the ordinary becomes the extraordinary and the everyman becomes the hero. Josh’s love for film shines through each page of this dark adventure that will have you cheering (or clapping if you were in a cinema) by the end.’

The author said of the deal: ‘Titan Books is the perfect geeky home for THE SHADOW GLASS. I’ve been a fan of their books for years and am thrilled to be joining their roster of fantastic authors.’

Congrats, Josh! We’ll share more information here as and when we have it (full synopsis, cover, etc.). Watch this space!