Ebury strikes worldwide Black Mirror deal with Charlie Brooker

Ebury Publishing imprint Del Rey is set to publish an original series of books inspired by the hit Netflix original show "Black Mirror", edited by its creator Charlie Brooker.

Each volume in the series will comprise a collection of three "all-new, all-original" fiction novellas that Brooker will edit. Emphatically not novelisations, the mid-length stories will be written from scratch in the style of the show by "leading names within the literary world" who are yet to be announced. 

The first volume will be published on 22nd February 2018 (£12.99) in hardback and e-book, with the second volume scheduled for autumn 2018 and the third in 2019. 

The programme, which first aired on Channel 4 (2011-2014) before Netflix commissioned a third season, uses science fiction tropes to make commentary on the convergence between humanity and technology. The last Netflix season was released worldwide in October 2016 and the next will be coming later this year.

Jake Lingwood, Ebury Publishing deputy m.d. and publisher, bought world rights for Penguin Random House to publish on the Del Rey UK imprint from Jo Unwin at JULA Ltd for Charlie Brooker and the House of Tomorrow production company.

He struck the deal working closely with Tricia Narwani, editorial director at Penguin Random House US, who will co-publish the books in North America on the Del Rey imprint simultaneously. Ebury Publishing will also handle worldwide translation sales. 

Brooker said: "All-new 'Black Mirror' stories from exciting authors - that’s a joyous prospect. And they’re appearing in a high-tech new format known as a 'book'. Apparently you just have to glance at some sort of ‘ink code’ printed on paper and images and sounds magically appear in your head, enacting the story. Sounds far-fetched to me, but we’ll see."

Lingwood said: "'Black Mirror' is the smartest, sharpest show on TV and as huge fans ourselves we know that we are always desperate for more episodes. In fact, more than we suspect it will ever be possible for Charlie to make. That’s why we’re so inspired by Charlie’s total enthusiasm for this project and we’re completely salivating at the prospect of him working with some of the smartest, sharpest novelists around in order to create more 'Black Mirror' – but this time in book form."