New Conn Iggulden trilogy to Michael Joseph

Michael Joseph has acquired a new trilogy from historical fiction writer Conn Iggulden.

Iggulden, who achieved simultaneous number ones across fiction and non-fiction charts with Dangerous Book for Boys (HarperCollins) in 2006, has sold over seven million copies of his books globally, according to Michael Joseph.

The first book in the new Empire of Salt trilogy is "a page-turning narrative peopled by warriors and spies, magicians and mercenaries". It is set in a world, full of treachery and violence, where dying magic and new technology are weapons in an age-old struggle for power.

According to its author "this trilogy is written with the intention of dropping the reader off a cliff, watching them howl all the way down and then refusing to step back at the end".

Louise Moore, managing director of Michael Joseph, said: "I am so utterly delighted to be publishing the first in Conn’s Empire of Salt trilogy next year. He’s an outstanding storyteller, able to bring entire worlds vividly to life, and I believe that readers are going to be blown away by his imagination, talent and epic portrayal of truly compelling characters. This is Conn at his page-turning best."

Michael Joseph bought UK and Commonwealth rights, including audio, from Victoria Hobbs at AM Heath. The first part of the Empire of Salt trilogy will be published in hardback on 27th July 2017.