DEAL OF THE WEEK

Oluo’s ‘Revolution’ Stirs HarperOne

In a high six-figure deal, Rakesh Satyal at HarperOne bought world rights to Ijeoma Oluo’s Be a Revolution. Oluo, the bestselling author of Mediocre and So You Want to Talk About Race, was represented by Lauren Abramo at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. HarperOne said Be a Revolution “will show how people and communities are working to create real systemic change—in areas like education, media, science, health, housing, and agriculture—with the goal of achieving intersectional racial equity.”

FROM THE U.S.

Putnam Nabs Fowler’s ‘Booth’

Booker finalist Karen Joy Fowler sold Booth, her first book in nine years, to Putnam’s Sally Kim. Fowler (The Jane Austen Book Club) was represented by Molly Friedrich and Lucy Carson at the Friedrich Agency in the world rights agreement. The historical novel, set for spring 2022, is about the family of Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth. Putnam said it paints a picture of “his larger-than-life stage-actor father Junius Brutus Booth, his enigmatic mother,” and “the many siblings who were forced to bear witness to the certain tragedy that defined a family and a country.”

Blum’s ‘Woodrow’ Woofs at Harper

Harper’s Sara Nelson took North American rights to Woodrow on the Bench: Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog by Jenna Blum (The Lost Family). The memoir chronicles the final six months Blum spent with her beloved black Lab, who was by her side through a variety of ups and downs, including a divorce and the death of her mother, according to Nelson. It’s sad yet funny and enlightening, she added, and is about “friendship with humans and animals, and about love.” Blum was represented by Stephanie Abou at Massie & McQuilkin. Woodrow on the Bench is slated for October.

Quirk Revisits Terry’s ‘Evil’

The Ultimate Evil, Maury Terry’s 1987 true crime book, is being reissued by Quirk Books, with Jhanteigh Kupihea taking world English rights. It chronicles the author’s investigation into the Son of Sam murders. The reissue, set for April, will feature a new introduction by Josh Zeman, who directed a forthcoming Netflix docu-series based on the book that is premiering in May. The book was sold by Peter Miller at Global Lion Management and Doris Booth at Authorlink.


Viking Goes Psychedelic for Cahalan

For Viking, Andrea Schulz acquired North American rights to Acid Queen: The Many Lives of Rosemary Leary, a Mother of the Modern Psychedelic Era by Susannah Cahalan. Viking said the book tells the story of Timothy Leary’s wife, who lived underground for two decades following the arrest of her husband. Acid Queen, the publisher added, “puts the overlooked women back into the 1960s psychedelic movement and explores what they tell us about the resurgence of hallucinogens in popular culture today.” Cahalan (Brain on Fire) was represented by Kimberly Witherspoon at InkWell Management.


The Vet Is in at Anchor

Anna Kaufman at Anchor preempted world rights to The Other Family Doctor by Karen Fine, a memoir about her experiences as a veterinarian. It’s the first nonfiction title on Anchor’s hardcover list, which is launching next year. The publisher said the book, subtitled A Veterinarian’s View of Love, Loss, Mortality, and Mindfulness, was pitched as “All Creatures Great and Small meets Being Mortal.” It explores how the author, through her work with her patients and their owners, “comes to better understand humanity, mortality, and the unique role animals play in our lives.” Fine was represented by Jennifer Herrera at the David Black Agency.