Cheung moves to Piatkus in two-book deal

Author and spiritualist Theresa Cheung has found a new publisher in Piatkus, after previously being published by Simon & Schuster.

Piatkus Non-Fiction acquired world English language rights in two new books by Cheung from Lorella Belli at Lorella Belli Literary Agency. 

The first book, Heaven Called My Name, is an "inspiring" collection of true stories about encounters with the afterlife and ways heaven speaks to us. It launches this November.

It will be followed in October 2017 by Pets from Heaven, a collection of stories featuring "angelic" pets looking after their masters from beyond the grave and miracles involving pets. 

Both books were acquired by editorial director Claudia Connal while still at Little, Brown. She becomes editorial director of non-fiction for Simon & Schuster UK in May.

Cheung, who was born into a family of spiritualists, left Cambridge University with a Masters in Theology and English, and has been involved in the research of "psychic phenomena" for over 25 years. She is the author of An Angel Called My Name and An Angel Healed Me, published by S&S in the UK, which have been translated into 25 different languages. 

Piatkus editorial director Zoe Bohm said: "We are delighted to be publishing Theresa’s new books. Theresa has built up such a loyal fan base over the years and we look forward to working closely with Theresa to build on her past success and reach new readers."

Belli said: "Theresa is a genuinely inspiring and awesome person and her books have won her legions of fans around the world. Her message, both simple and life-changing, transcends borders. We are delighted she has chosen Piatkus for her new books and are looking forward to selling translation rights in them at the London Book Fair."