News
Big money mole-catcher caught V
WORDS Heloise Wood
INTAGE IMPRINT HARVILL Secker has pre-empted a “wise and meditative”
nature memoir from a mole- catcher ahead of a six-way auction. Publishing director Liz Foley
secured world English-language rights to Marc Hamer’s H is for Hawk-stle book, called How to Catch a Mole, from Robert Caskie at Caskie Mushens. The début was acquired by Harvill Secker for a whisker under a six-figure sum, The Bookseller understands, in a pre-empt prior to a six-way auction. The title was snapped up in Italy, aſter a five-way bidding war, with interest gathering momentum in other countries. The “life-affirming book about a unique and mysterious animal” was salvaged from Caskie’s slush pile at the beginning of this year. Caskie worked on the manuscript with Hamer, who is billed as “a brilliant new nature writer”. The author’s experience of working as a traditional mole- catcher, and time spent sleep- ing rough in the countryside as a
Glee for home cooks as Ottolenghi goes Simple
teenager, give him a unique prism through which to explore rural British life, the cycle of nature, solitude, death and content- ment, according to a Vintage spokesperson. Punctuated with poems and
illustrations, interweaving nature writing and reflections on Hamer’s life and family, How to Catch a Mole is billed as a “wise and meditative book from a brilliant new talent”. Caskie said: “I started reading his book and was instantly struck
Waterstones social media co-ordinator Barnaby Walter has scooped a two-book deal with Avon after commissioning edi- tor Phoebe Morgan acquired world English-language rights from Joanna Swainson at Hardman & Swainson. The first book in the deal is a thriller
called The Deviant, slated for publication in 2019. The novel is about a woman who discovers “a dark and complex under- world” at an elite university. Morgan said: “I am so excited to bring Barnaby to the Avon list. He is an incred-
by the tender and beautiful prose. There was an intimacy and gentle strength about his writing which gave it a meditative qualit that immediately made me feel at ease. It was clear to me that this was something very special.” Hamer added: “I sent the email
to Robert and he replied the same day. We then spoke on the phone and got on immediately... I felt very confident that he really understood what I was trying to do. Things then moved very fast.”
Avon signs Waterstones social media man
ibly talented young writer and his début sent chills up my spine. This is a brilliant, dark look into a secret elitist world, and I can’t wait to share it with readers.” The 25-year-old author, who is an alumni of the Faber Academy writing course, added: “I am overjoyed to be signing with Avon and joining such a terrific, passionate team. I have avidly read and enjoyed many of its titles over the years and it is a dream come true for my book to find a home within its brilliant family.”
Phipps leaves Igloo as Bonnier reshuffle continues
Mike Phipps, publisher at Igloo Books for eight years, has leſt the company. Bonnier Publishing, which owns Igloo, confirmed that Phipps had leſt the post but declined to comment any further. According to LinkedIn, Phipps became publisher
at mass-market and licensed books publisher Igloo in 2009. The list was set up in 2003 by John String, who sold it to Bonnier Publishing in 2014. At the time, Bonnier’s then c.e.o. Richard Johnson said he struck the deal in order for his publisher to become a “domi-
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nant force” in the children’s mass-market space. Bonnier appointed Paul Gregory, former president and chief operating officer of Parragon Books, as the chief executive of Igloo in June last year. Johnson stepped down from his position as Bonnier c.e.o. in February and was succeeded by Jim Zeterlund, c.o.o. and chief financial officer of parent company Bonnier Books in Sweden. Last month Bonnier Publishing announced it was closing Five Mile, an Australian publisher of kids’ books focused mainly on licensing.
Ebury has acquired Simple by Yotam Ottolenghi, Tara Wigley and Esme Howarth. Publishing on 6th September as a £25 hard- back, the book will feature 140 recipes showcasing Ottolenghi’s “trademark vibrant flavours and inventive veg-centred dishes, but brilliantly pared back”. The deal, for world all-language rights (excluding North America), was done by Lizzy Gray from Ebury and Felicity Rubinstein of Lutyens & Rubinstein. Ten Speed Press will publish the title in the US and Canada.
Octopus spreads its arms with Tate link-up
Octopus is partnering with Tate Publishing to create a licensed list focusing on practical art and photography. Denise Bates, group publishing director at Octopus Publishing Group, bro- kered the worldwide deal with John Stachiewicz, Tate Enter- prises’ publishing and business director. Octopus will launch its Tate-branded list in spring 2019, publishing around eight books a year. Among the launch titles will be Tate in Oils and The Photog- raphy Ideas Book.
Gollancz finds Sanctuary in cross-genre thriller
Gollancz has acquired world rights to “biting” cross-genre thriller Sanctuary by V V James. Commissioning editor Rachel Winterbottom struck a two-book deal with Robert Kirby at United Agents. Publishing in spring 2019, Sanctuary is a small-town murder mystery about four women with a dark secret. James said: “The story speaks to the issues of now—consent culture, and societal paranoia—with a twist of magic. I’m thrilled to be telling it with Rachel and the dynamic Gollancz team.”
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