UK Audio Rights for Gabriel Denning Sold


The UK & Commonwealth audio rights for Gabriel Denning‘s riotous mash-up WARLOCK HOLMES and its two sequels have sold to W.F. Howes. The deal was negotiated on behalf of Sam Morgan at the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York. Titan Books will be publishing in the UK and US. The first novel is scheduled for May 2016.

Here’s the pitch:

Sherlock Holmes is an unparalleled genius who uses the gift of deduction and reason to solve the most vexing of crimes.

Warlock Holmes, however, is an idiot. A good man, perhaps; a font of arcane power, certainly. But he’s brilliantly dim. Frankly, he couldn’t deduce his way out of a paper bag.

The only things he really has going for him are the might of a thousand demons and his stalwart flatmate. Thankfully, Dr. Watson is always there to aid him through the treacherous shoals of Victorian propriety … and save him from a gruesome death every now and again.

Gabriel Denning was born and raised in Seattle. He has published articles for the popular games company Wizards of the Coast, worked as a editor, written a video-game script for Nintendo, and scripted and performed shows at the Epcot Center, Walt Disney World. He now lives in Las Vegas with his family. To connect with the author, be sure to follow him on Twitter.

New Deal: Chaos Queen Audio rights sold to W. F. Howes


HusbergC-AuthorPicJodie Coles, Acquisitions Editor at W.F. Howes Ltd., has secured the UK and Commonwealth Audio rights to all five books in Christopher Husberg‘s Chaos Queen series. The deal was negotiated by John Wordsworth on behalf of Sam Morgan of the JABberwocky Literary Agency.

As reported here a little while ago, Titan Books acquired US and UK/Commonwealth rights, in separate deals, to this stunning epic fantasy series. DUSKFALL, the first book in the series and Chris’ debut novel, is due to be published in July 2016. Here’s a preliminary synopsis for the series…

Stuck with arrows and close to death, a man is pulled from the icy waters of the Gulf of Nahl. As he is nursed back to health by a local fisherman, two things become very clear: he has no idea who he is, and he can kill a man with terrifying ease.

The fisherman is a tiellan, a race which has long been oppressed and grown wary of humans. His daughter, Winter, is a seemingly quiet young woman, but behind her placid mask she has her demons. She is addicted to frostfire – a substance that both threatens to destroy her and simultaneously gives her phenomenal power.

A young priestess, Cinzia, hears the troubling news of an uprising in her native city of Navone. Absconding from the cloistered life that she has kept for the last seven years, she knows she must make the long journey home. The flames of rebellion threatening her church and all that she believes in are bad enough, but far worse is the knowledge that the heretic who sparked the fire is her own sister.

These three characters may have set out on different paths, but fate will bring them together on one thrilling and perilous adventure.

Zeno represents Christopher Husberg in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of Sam Morgan of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Naomi Foyle’s ASTRA Available in Audio


Foyle-AstraAUD-Blog

Produced by W.F. Howes, we’re delighted that Naomi Foyle‘s latest novel, ASTRA, is available as an audiobook! The novel is narrated by Penelope Rawlins, and is available from all good audiobook distributors. The novel was published in print by Jo Fletcher Books in the UK in February 2014.

Here’s the synopsis…

Like every child in Is-Land, all Astra Ordott wants is to have her Security Shot, do her National Service and defend her Gaian homeland from Non-Lander ‘infiltrators’. But when one of her Shelter mothers, the formidable Dr Hokma Blesser, tells her the shot will limit her chances of becoming a scientist and offers her an alternative, Astra agrees to her plan.

When the orphaned Lil arrives to share Astra’s home, Astra is torn between jealousy and fascination. Lil’s father taught her some alarming ideas about Is-Land and the world, but when she pushes Astra too far, the heartache that results goes far beyond the loss of a friend.

If she is to survive, Astra must learn to deal with devastating truths about Is-Land, Non-Land and the secret web of adult relationships that surrounds her.

Jo Fletcher Books also published Naomi’s previous novel, SEOUL SURVIVORS.

Here’s just a small selection of the great reviews ASTRA has received…

‘Shocking though it might be in some respects, ASTRA certainly provides food for thought… the story quickly becomes engrossing. The ending is abrupt, but it makes you crave the second instalment of the Gaia ChroniclesASTRA will certainly not be everyone’s cup of tea, but personally I am looking forwards to the next book with curiosity and excitement.’ — Starburst Magazine

‘I enjoyed ASTRA immensely. The novel’s plot is fascinating, with an intricate web of relationships between Astra and those around them and the adults amongst themselves and some compelling political shenanigans going on in the background, all of it set down in Foyle’s smooth and flowing writing style. ‘ — Fantastical Librarian

‘… an unusual and appealing novel…’ — Strange Horizons