Orion buys Pride and Prejudice 'sequel'

Orion has bought a sequel to Pride and Prejudice to coincide with the 200-year anniversary of Jane Austen's death.

Jemima Forrester, senior commissioning editor for Orion Fiction, acquired world rights including translation to Perception by Terri Fleming from Jo Unwin at Jo Unwin Literary Agency.

Perception is described as a "lively, entertaining" sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It is set several years after the events of the original novel and follows the fates of the lesser-known Bennet sisters: quiet, bookish Mary and fun-loving Kitty. 

The news follows the recently announced acquisition of The Other Bennet Girl (Mantle) by Janice Hadlow, which also rethinks the story of Mary Bennet; it publishes in 2018.

Forrester said: "Perception captured my imagination – and my love of all things Jane Austen – when it first crossed my desk. I always felt Mary and Kitty got a raw deal in Pride and Prejudice and longed to know how life turned out for them. Terri has perfectly captured the boisterous, loving, at times slightly dysfunctional, Bennet family, as well as introducing a cast of brilliant new characters that readers will love. I’m thrilled Orion will be publishing this next year to tie in with such a significant anniversary."

Fleming, born in Australia, is professional copywriter and self-confessed lifelong Jane Austen fan. She said: "Orion has made me feel like one of their amazing family of writers already. It is a joy to work with such outstanding professionals to bring Perception to the market."

Perception will be published next July in paperback original and e-book to coincide with the 200-year anniversary of Austen’s death.