Week of July 15, 2024

Reinert signs major contract with Flatiron

In a preemptive strike Megan Lynch And Caroline Bleeke at Flatiron Books have acquired the worldwide rights to the Eventing and Briar Hill book series of the self-published author Natalie Keller-ReinertThe contract also includes an as yet untitled novel that will be the start of a new series. Lacy Lynch at Dupree Miller brokered the seven-figure deal. Flatiron said Reinert’s series, which centers on the equestrian community of Ocala, Florida, “touches on themes of female friendship, empowerment, romance” and explores the “partnerships – animal and human – that help us thrive.”

Max Monroe says yes to “Entangled”

Jessica TurnerCo-editor and editorial director of Entangled, has acquired the North American rights to the romance author duo Max Monroe‘S What I should have said. Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group handled the deal. Gottlieb said the book is about “a runaway bride who meets a dour artist, and sparks fly as they navigate tangled pasts and unexpected truths in a summer of mystery and change in Vermont.” Max Monroe has written about 30 books in total, which have sold over two million copies in total, according to the publisher.

Josephine Baker’s memoirs on tiny reparations

After an auction Emi Ikkanda at Tiny Reparations has acquired the North American rights to Josephine BakerMemoirs from 1949, Fearless and freeBaker was a world-famous entertainer, a spy for the French Resistance during World War II, and a civil rights activist who spoke alongside Martin Luther King Jr. at the 1963 March on Washington. Although her memoirs were published in Europe and originally written in French, they have never been published in English. Vintage Classics UK represented the rights to the English translation and will publish the UK edition simultaneously with Tiny Reparations in February 2025.

Atria snaps up successor to “Forever Strong”

Co-editor of Atria Books Michelle Herrera-Mulligan has the worldwide rights to two books by Gabrielle Lyon: The Forever Strong Playbook (with recipe developer Mindy Fox) And Forever strong for women. Joy Tutela at the David Black Literary Agency brokered the deal. Atria said Playbook, The work, which will be published in autumn 2025, builds on Lyon’s 2023 bestseller Forever strongwith “easy-to-implement, practical solutions that help burn fat, fight heart disease, reverse diabetes, stay fit, build muscle and increase energy.” Forever strong for women will be published in 2026 and is described by the publisher as a guide to coping with “the physical, emotional and mental changes and challenges in the second half of a woman’s life”.

Pegasus takes on Journo’s debut novel

Jessica Fall Pegasus Books has acquired the worldwide rights to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Steve Wick‘s debut novel, The ruins. Michael Carlisle at InkWell Management negotiated the deal. Pegasus said the book is an “electrifying thriller set in mid-century Long Island, where the gruesome horrors of a Nazi enclave collide with the manufacture of the suburban dream.” Wick is the author of The long nightabout the experiences of journalist William L. Shirer reporting from Germany on the rise of the Nazis and World War II. The ruins will be released in February 2025.

Newbery Medalists unite at Little, Brown

Margaret Raymo For Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has acquired the worldwide rights to J vs Kby Newbery Medalists Kwame Alexander And Jerry craftThe deal was negotiated by Deneen C. Howell by Williams & Connolly (for Alexander) and Judith Hansen by Hansen Literary Management (for Craft). The publisher said the book is an illustrated middle-grade novel about “the intense rivalry between the two most talented and creative fifth-graders at Dean Ashley Public School.” Release is scheduled for summer 2025.