Faber Makes First Joint Deal
by Matthew Thornton -- Publishers Weekly, 8/18/2008 2:36:00 PM
Faber and Faber publisher Mitzi Angel has made her first acquisition in her new post, teaming up with Lee Brackstone at Faber Ltd. in the U.K. to preempt world English rights to two books by debut author Petina Gappah. Claire Patterson at Janklow and Nesbit made the sale.
The books, a collection of stories and a novel, are set against the chaos and confusion of the author's native Zimbabwe; Gappah's stories feature characters struggling with the spiraling inflation, power cuts, and financial hardship that characterize life under Robert Mugabe’s regime, as well as more universal disappointments and yearnings. "Her writing is full of verve and wit,” Angel added. “I’m delighted to be publishing this talented writer in America, and equally delighted that this will be the first shared acquisition for Faber in the U.S. and Faber in the U.K.”Angel, previously editorial director at Fourth Estate in the U.K., joined the FSG-owned American arm of Faber this spring as part of an expansion plan for the imprint; as part of the initiative, Faber Inc. will be acquiring world English rights to books jointly with Faber and Faber Ltd. in the U.K., while Angel will also concentrate on broadening the U.S. imprint on its own.
Gappah’s work has appeared in eight countries, and she has law degrees from Cambridge, Graz University in Austria and the University of Zimbabwe. She currently works as an international trade lawyer in Geneva. Faber will publish the collection of stories, yet untitled, on its spring 2009 list.
