Managing Editor Anna Comfort-O’Keefe at D&M has acquired North American English rights to Bill Gaston’s seventh short-story collection THE MARINER’S GUIDE TO SELF-SABOTAGE. Though an accomplished novelist—The World, Sointula, The Good Body, The Cameraman—it’s his short fiction for which he gains the most critical acclaim. His previous collection, Juliet Was A Surprise, earned a Governor General’s Award nomination, as did the collection previous to that, Gargoyles. The one prior to that, Mount Appetite, was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Publication is planned for Fall 2017. The deal was arranged by Carolyn Forde of Westwood Creative Artists.
Taryn Boyd has acquired World rights to Julie Roorda’s A THOUSAND CONSOLATIONS for Brindle & Glass. The story of Paula, a maker of wish-laden candles grappling with the grief of loss, and her relationship with a charming and witty new immigrant from Mexico, Hector, whose past may not be exactly as he’s portrayed it. This is Roorda’s first adult novel (she’s published 3 volumes of poetry and a YA novel previously). Publication is set for Fall 2017. The deal was arranged by Carolyn Forde at Westwood Creative Artists.
St. Martin’s Press Senior Editor Daniela Rapp has acquired US rights to Roz Nay’s debut psychological thriller OUR LITTLE SECRET, for publication in early 2018. Simon & Schuster Canada VP and Editorial Director Nita Pronovost and Assistant Editor Sarah St. Pierre will publish in Canada in June 2017. Dutch rights were acquired by Xander and audio rights by Audible. The deal was arranged by Carolyn Forde of Westwood Creative Artists.
Film and television rights to Dean Jobb’s Empire of Deception (HarperCollins/Algonquin Books) have been optioned by Bill Holderman, producer most recently of “A Walk in the Woods,” and Erin Simms for their company Sine Qua Non Productions Inc. Jerry Kalajian at Intellectual Property Group negotiated the deal on behalf of Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists.
Susanne Alexander from Goose Lane has acquired Canadian rights to journalist Lauren McKeon’s F-BOMB, a witty and insightful nonfiction narrative that explores why women are abandoning feminism in unprecedented numbers, why the feminist movement is losing ground, and what we as a society can do about it, for publication in fall 2017. World rights excluding Canada have been bought by BenBella Books. Hilary McMahon of Westwood Creative Artists negotiated both deals.
Douglas & McIntyre managing editor Anna Comfort O’Keeffe has acquired North American rights to LEGION CAFE: A STORY OF CANADA TOLD THROUGH CHINESE RESTAURANTS by Ann Hui, the national food reporter for The Globe and Mail. Hui intersperses her journeys to the country’s Chinese restaurants with the more intimate story of her own family’s immigration to Canada. The title is slated for fall 2018. The deal was arranged by John Pearce at Westwood Creative Artists in association with Chris Casuccio.
Douglas & McIntyre managing editor Anna Comfort O’Keeffe has acquired Canadian rights to a new title by art-market commentator Don Thompson. THE ORANGE BALLOON DOG‚ due in spring 2017‚ takes a critical look at the high end of the contemporary art market. The deal was arranged by John Pearce at Westwood Creative Artists. Czech rights have also been sold to Kniha Zlin by Kristen Olsen Literary Agency, on behalf of Carolyn Forde at Westwood Creative Artists.
Tundra Books has acquired world rights to DOG NIGHT AT THE STORY ZOO, a humorous middle grade graphic novel by Audrey (Cow) author Dan Bar-el, with Samantha Swenson editing and publication slated for July 2017. Hilary McMahon of Westwood Creative Artists represented Bar-el in the deal. Tundra brought in Vicki Nerino to illustrate.
Rena Ayer at Audible has acquired World English Audio rights to Roz Nay’s psychological suspense OUR LITTLE SECRET in an enthusiastic 5 figure pre-empt. Simon & Schuster will publish in Canada in Summer 2017, Dutch rights have sold to Xander. The deal was arranged by Carolyn Forde at Westwood Creative Artists.
Business Weekly has acquired Taiwanese rights to Jay Ingram’s THE SCIENCE OF WHY. Rights have sold previously to China, Germany and Romania. Simon & Schuster will publish in Canada in November 2016. The deal was arranged by Andrew Nurnburg Associates in association with Carolyn Forde at Westwood Creative Artists on behalf of Jackie Kaiser.
Dutch rights to Orange Broadband prize-winning author Karen Connelly’s THE CHANGE ROOM, about a woman with a happy marriage and a great career who begins an affair with a woman she meets at the local swimming pool, to Querido, by Neeltje Smitskamp of Marianne Schombach Agency in association with Carolyn Forde at Westwood Creative Artists on behalf of Jackie Kaiser. Random House will publish in Canada in April 2017.