Hot Deals: Warner Buys U.K. Bestsellers
Judy Quinn -- 7/27/98
Warner imprint Mysterious Press editor Sara Ann Freed made a significant six-figure pre-empt to U.S. co-agent Joy Harris to acquire Crazy for Me by Nicci French, whose previous novels, The Memory Game and The Safe House, were bestsellers in Britain and will be released in paperback as part of this deal. Crazy, a psychological thriller touted as a combination of "Damage Meets Into Thin Air" (the female protagonist impulsively marries a mysterious man who turns out to be a famous mountain climber), is tentatively set for publication next July.Next July is also Warner's planned hardcover pub date for As It Is in Heaven, the follow-up novel from Niall Williams, whose previous Irish-set novel, Four Letters of Love, will be released with a heavy marketing push by Warner in trade paperback this November. Warner Paperbacks publisher Mel Parker told PW all were "mystified" that British bestseller Letters only netted in the mid-20,000 range in hardcover, thus the extra trade paperback push, which includes a rare extensive mailing of advance reader's copies. While Warner and FSG originally planned to submit a joint bid to Dublin-based agent Marianne Gunn O'Connor to acquire Williams's second book, FSG ultimately dropped out as the price rose into six figures. And finally, Parker has also acquired from U.K. agent Christopher Little what has been dubbed "The Longitude of porcelain," with his U.S. buy of The Arcanum, a nonfiction history of that material, which made it to the #1 spot on the London Times bestseller list. A February publication is planned. Back To News---> |
