Del Rey Lands Reeves Novel
Ben Greenberg at Del Rey has acquired North American rights to The Book of Elsewhere, actor and author Keanu Reeves’s debut novel, written with China Miéville. Del Rey said the book is set in the world of the bestselling Brzrkr comics series (soon to be a Netflix movie and anime series), which Reeves created with writer Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney, and follows “an immortal warrior on a millennia-long quest.” The deal was negotiated by Laura Bonner and Erin Malone at WME. The book is set for July.
Viking Buys Taiwanese Fantasy
After an auction, Nidhi Pugalia at Viking has acquired world rights to Taiwanese American writer Gracie Marsden’s Bones of Jade, Flesh Like Ice. The publisher described the book as a “dark, historical feminist fantasy novel immersed in Taiwanese mythology” that follows “a woman on a path of revenge and redemption.” The deal was brokered by Mary C. Moore at Aevitas. A pub date has not yet been set.
James Finds ‘Love’ at Avon
In a two-book deal, Tessa Woodward at Avon has acquired world English rights to author Amy James’s debut adult romance novel. Josh Adams at Adams Literary handled the two-book deal. Adams said A Five-Letter Word for Love features “a small town receptionist who turns to her irritating coworker when her Wordle streak is in danger, beginning a surprising romance.” That novel is set for December. The second novel, Crash Test, will follow in 2025. Avon said it tells the story of “Travis, a young F1 phenom whose world is upended when his secret love, F2 driver Jacob, is involved in a crash.”
Blackstone Signs Six-Book Lit RPG
In a six-book deal, Seth Ring (Battle Mage Farmer and the Titan series) has sold world rights to The Exlian Syndrome, a new lit RPG (literary role-playing game) series, to Anne Fonteneau at Blackstone Publishing. Ring was self-represented. Blackstone said the series tells the story of a young man who joins the fight against an “extraterrestrial threat to humanity” while coming to grips with “newfound powers he is struggling to control.” The as-yet-untitled first book is expected to publish late this year.
Bansinath’s ‘Men’ Head to Bloomsbury
Amber Oliver at Bloomsbury has acquired North American rights to Men Like Ours, the debut novel by The Cut staff writer Bindu Bansinath. The deal was brokered by Jin Auh at the Wylie Agency. Bloomsbury called the book a story of “ambition, allegiance, womanhood, and the intractable fissures of community” that follows “a suburb of South Asian immigrant women that is shaken after the death of a mysterious community member.” Men Like Ours will be published in 2026.
RH Takes Chehebar’s ‘Fortune’
In an exclusive submission, Noa Shapiro at Random House has acquired North American rights to Sisters of Fortune, the debut novel by New School MFA grad Esther Chehebar. The deal was brokered by Jamie Carr at the Book Group. Random House described Sisters of Fortune as “modern-day Jane Austen set on Ocean Parkway,” following “three sisters in a cloistered Syrian Jewish community as they navigate the expectations of their overprotective mother and their charismatic grandmother, in the weeks leading up to one sister’s wedding.” A publication date has not yet been set.
