Picador acquires story of a dangerous liaison

Picador has acquired a debut novel, Fire Sermon, and story collection, I Want to Show You More, from US writer Jamie Quatro.

Paul Baggaley at Picador acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Sophie Lambert at Conville & Walsh on behalf of Anna Stein at ICM.

Fire Sermon tells the story of emerging writer Maggie, a married woman of 20 years, whose life behings to change when she begins corresponding with one of her literary idols. What begins as a platonic exchange between two like-minded intellectuals transforms into a dangerous, erotically-charged liaison that challenges her commitment to husband, family and ultimately her own deeply-held moral and spiritual beliefs. The book uses "spare, elegant" prose and promises to unveil "the contradictions, complexities and darkness of desire that exist within us all".

Baggaley said: "I am delighted to have been able to acquire books by such a remarkable talent. I am convinced that Fire Sermon will be one of the most talked about books of 2018. It combines emotional range with erotic intensity, but more than anything it makes the reader question what love is. The novel is both deceptively simple and formally ambitious, an intense examination of sexuality, infidelity and religion. I was reminded throughout of the writing of James Salter, and when it comes to writing about love, sex and conflict, I believe Quatro’s writing – both in the novel and the stories – displays that same unflinching honesty." 

Picador will publish Fire Sermon in Spring 2018, alongside Elisabeth Schmitz at Grove Atlantic in the US, Atlas Contact in The Netherlands, and House of Anansi in Canada.