Lucy Barker

Fourth Estate has scooped the debut novel from our course graduate Lucy Barker in a ‘significant’ two-book deal.

Katie Bowden, editorial director, secured UK and Commonwealth rights to The Other Side of Mrs Wood. US rights were sold to Millicent Bennett at HarperCollins, which will publish in June 2023.

The Other Side of Mrs Wood is described as ‘an irresistible historical comedy about two warring mediums in Victorian London, inspired by the real-life rivalry between famous spiritualists Agnes Guppy and Florence Cook in the 1870s.’

Becky Hunter

Atlantic imprint Corvus has signed One Moment, the ‘heart-wrenching and uplifting’ debut novel by Becky Hunter.

Publishing director Sarah Hodgson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights as part of a two-book deal. US rights were sold to Grand Central in a significant six-figure two-book pre-empt while German rights have gone to Droemer Knaur in a four-way auction and Romanian rights have been pre-empted by Nemira.

Hannah Dolby

Aria, the popular fiction imprint of Head of Zeus, has pre-empted the ‘effortlessly funny’ debut novel from Comedy Women in Print shortlistee Hannah Dolby.

Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, editorial director, secured world English rights to No Life For a Lady and one further novel from Diana Beaumont at Marjacq. No Life for a Lady will publish in hardback, e-book and audio as a lead debut in March 2023.

The publisher describes Dolby’s book as a ‘smart, funny and life-affirming’ historical novel that follows the story of Violet Hamilton as she searches for her missing mother, the beautiful Lily Hamilton, who vanished from Hastings Pier 10 years earlier.

Carla Jenkins

Trapeze has swooped for a ‘powerful and engrossing’ début novel by writer and teacher Carla Jenkins in a two-book deal. Editorial director Sareeta Domingo signed UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Madeleine Milburn at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency, who saw off competition from nine other agents to represent the author. Fifty Minutes will publish in hardback in May 2024, with her follow-up novel due to publish in 2025.

Domingo said: ‘Carla’s writing is immediate, powerful and engrossing, and Dani is a character that it’s impossible not to root for. I was completely drawn in right from the outset.’

Kate Gray

Welbeck has landed two books by Kate Gray in a six-figure deal following a four-way auction.

Rosa Schierenberg, editorial director, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to The Honeymoon and one other from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment. It will be a lead hardback for Welbeck in July 2023.

Gray has previously published six commercial women’s fiction novels with HQ as Katy Colins. This is her first psychological thriller.

Susie Bower

Susie Bower is the author of three children’s fiction novels. Voted one of the Independent’s Top Ten novels for children, summer 2019.

‘Thoroughly charming and endlessly intriguing, Bower’s accomplished debut combines a magical mystery with a heartfelt account of adoption and trying to fit in. Written with grace and flair, School for Nobodies exerts a luminous hold on the imagination from start to finish.’ —Waterstones
‘Another enchanting fantasy.’ —Telegraph

Rebecca Ley

Rebecca Ley is the author of two novels.

‘Wonderfully assured.’ —The Times
‘Pass the tissues...’ —Evening Standard
‘Lovely novel. Highly recommend.’ —Jenni Murray
‘Beautifully written.’ —Sun
‘Prepare for heartbreak.’ —Woman & Home
‘Brilliant.’ —Bella

Tracey Emerson

Tracey Emerson is the author of three novels.

‘Tense, daring and totally addictive.’ —Emma Christie
‘This taut, elegant thriller thrums with dark menace and dread. I couldn’t look away.’ —Kate Riordan
‘The last time I had this sort of reaction to a character was when I read The Talented Mr Ripley.’ —Mark Wightman
‘A gripping, atmospheric and addictive read.’ —Lesley Glaister
‘Original, surprising and absolutely brimming with menace.’ —Amanda Block

Rashmi Sirdeshpande

Rashmi Sirdeshpande is the author of eight books for children. Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022, and voted one of The Times Best Books of 2020.

‘Rashmi Sirdeshpande is a lawyer who became a children’s author and she has a talent for taking the big subjects and making them accessible to young readers.’ —BookBag Blog
‘Essential reading for young people.’ —BookTrust

Clare Barnett Huerta

Introduced by The Novelry, and now represented by Chris Bucci at Aevitas Creative Management.

Clare says: ‘The Ninety Day Novel and The Big Edit courses gave me the structure, motivation, and confidence to complete my manuscript. Having the support and guidance of accomplished publishing professionals was invaluable at every step. Writing coaches Emylia and Anna gave me insightful feedback on plotting and characters. Editors Tash and Josie helped my submission package shine and introduced me to my agent. I’d recommend the Novelry to any novelist pursuing traditional publishing.’

Helena Echlin

Introduced by The Novelry and now represented by Emma Leong in the UK and Chad Luibl in the USA.

Clever Little Thing is a taut psychological thriller about a woman convinced her daughter has been possessed by her former babysitter; comparable to Ashley Audrain’s The Push and Zoje Stage’s Baby Teeth. Now sold to Pamela Dorman Books/ Penguin Random House and Penguin Canada, Grijalbo (Spain) and Nord (Italy).

Brooke Hardwick

Introduced by The Novelry, and now represented by Euan Thorneycroft.

Nazima Pathan

Introduced by The Novelry, and now represented by Chloe Seager.

Shylashri Shankar

Introduced by The Novelry and now represented by James Wills. 

Monica Vuu

Represented by Jenny Darling, Monica Vuu is the author of a gothic mystery thriller set in Tasmania. 

Monica says: ‘The Novelry made my induction into the fiction-writing world a joyful one with The Novelry has been such a joy. The positive experience set the tone for my ongoing writing journey. I want to thank you for creating a safe space for inexperienced authors to come and play.’

Mona Tewari

Represented by Jennifer Azantian, Mona Tewari is an author of high fantasy fiction featuring elemental magic in a world inspired by her Indian heritage.

Mona says: ‘Working with The Novelry has been such a joy. I have always loved writing and storytelling, but The Novelry taught me how to approach it professionally. The lessons provided a strong scaffolding, and my sessions with Tasha Suri and Craig Leyenaar always pushed me to better understand and explore both my characters and the world I was creating. Add to that the fabulous and supportive community, and it’s easy to see why I highly recommend The Novelry.’

Karina Robles Bahrin

Karina Robles Bahrin was announced as the winner of the Epigram Books Fiction Prize for The Accidental Malay.

‘Desire, religion and politics collide in this delicious début by Karina Robles Bahrin. Slick, sharp and full of the frustrations and joys of modern urban Malaysia, The Accidental Malay is a joy to read.’ —Tash Aw

Hemmie Martin

Represented by A For Authors, Hemmie is the author of contemporary women’s fiction.

Juliana Adelman

Represented by Imogen Morrell, Juliana Adelman is an author of historical fiction.