By Georgie Cutler, Eva Lee and Niamh Parr
Acquisition News
Awad Returns to Bunny with New Novel
Following the publication of Bunny in 2019, Mona Awad’s sophomore novel was named one of the best books of the year by publications such as Vogue and has since become a large hit in reading communities like BookTok. Fans of the novel will be delighted to hear that Awad intends to return to the world of Bunny with a new novel described at once as “a prequel and a sequel” in the Bookseller press release. Despite thematic connections to the original story, We Love You, Bunny will be able to be read either in connection with Bunny or as a standalone novel. Marysue Rucci at Marysue Rucci Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, acquired US rights, with Nicole Winstanley signing Canadian rights for Simon & Schuster Canada and Chris White of Scribner taking UK and Commonwealth rights for S&S UK. We Love You, Bunny is set to be published in September 2025.
Aveyard’s Adult Debut Bought at Auction
Victoria Aveyard, bestselling YA author of Red Queen and Realm Breaker, is gearing up to publish her adult fantasy debut Tempest – a romantic fantasy novel set in a world inspired by the rise and fall of the Golden Age of Piracy. North American rights to Tempest were won by Harper Voyager in an eight-house auction, with the rights being sold to Priyanka Krishnan at Voyager by Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary & Media. In a Substack article, Aveyard writes that her new novel “is clearly inspired by [her] teenage love for Pirates of the Caribbean” and that she has always wanted to write a book that encapsulates “the same rush.” Tempest follows the heroine Cat Rose, a former noblewoman who finds herself faced with the threat of execution. There is only one thing she can do to avoid her gruesome fate: assist the empire in capturing their world’s most notorious pirate captain. And there is only one problem with this task – the pirate captain in question is the only man Cat has ever loved. Publication is currently scheduled for 2026.
Multi-Title Deal for McFadden and Sourcebooks
Freida McFadden is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including The Housemaid and The Boyfriend. Thanks to an exclusive submission deal, McFadden now has an extensive list of upcoming titles to be published by Poisoned Pen Press, Sourcebook’s imprint for adult mystery fiction. The deal consisted of World English rights to several books – three front-list thriller novels, four backlist and three novellas. Jenna Jankowski at Sourcebooks signed the deal with Christina Hogrebe of the Jane Rotrosen Agency handling it. Dear Debbie – the first novel set to be published from this group – follows the protagonist Debbie Mullens, an eccentric advice columnist who, in her spare time, enjoys sinister hobbies such as growing poison in her garden and stalking cheating husbands. This thriller is expected for publication in January 2026.
From Book to Screen
What to Watch?
Cruel Intentions comes to Amazon Prime
Cruel Intentions is returning to our screens this November. The series is inspired by the 1782 French novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The book was previously adapted in 1999 as a film starring Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe. This adaptation brings the story to a new generation, set in an elite College in Washington, D.C. The series will star Sarah Catherine Hook and Zac Burgess as Caroline and Lucien, two step-siblings who will stop at nothing to stay on top of the College’s social hierarchy. When they meet Annie Glover, played by Savannah Lee Smith, they see an opportunity to cement their power. The series will consist of eight episodes, and the trailer can be found here. Cruel Intentions is available to stream on Amazon Prime from 21 November 2024.
In the Works
Roald Dahl's The Twits Coming to Netflix
All-time children's book favourite The Twits will be getting an official animated release, marking the first on-screen adaptation based on the book written by Roald Dahl. It is set to be written, directed and produced by Phil Johnston and will be animated by Jellyfish Pictures (Netflix). The story will follow Mr and Mrs Twit, a spiteful, prank-loving, hideous couple known for their wickedness against their pet monkeys. They attempt to train them through cruel methods to set up their animal circus business named Twitlandia but what lurks behind the scenes are their terrible tactics. A blend of dark humour, empathy and quirkiness is expected to be shown in this adaptation aimed at appealing to both young and older viewers. Margo Martindale, Johnny Vegas, Natalie Portman and Emilia Clarke will be lending their voices for this animation. Keep an eye out for the film on Netflix, expected to release in 2025.