Bonnier Zaffre acquires two thrillers from debut SA writer

Bonnier Zaffre, part of Bonnier Publishing, has acquired two thrillers from debut South African author and blogger Amy Heydenrych.

Katherine Armstrong, editorial director at Bonnier Zaffre, acquired UK, Commonwealth (excluding Canada), EU, translation and audio rights from Sarah Manning at The Bent Agency for the two suspense thrillers to be published on Zaffre’s Twenty7 imprint for debut authors.

The first, Shame on You, will be published as an e-book in January 2018, with the paperback to follow later in the year. It is about Holly Evans, a social media sensation, who is attacked by a man she’s only just met. Has she been targeted because of her successful career, or is there a more sinister reason behind the attack – is Holly exactly who she purports to be online, or, like most people, is her image how she’d like to be seen?

Armstrong said: "I am incredibly excited to be introducing Amy’s writing to the UK market. Shame on You is a gripping, timely and fast-paced thriller that looks at where reality meets online and how easy it is these days to present a so-called perfect life to the world, when the reality might be very different. Looking at worryingly recent trends in 'shaming' women online it shows how easy it is to be put on a pedestal, only for others to tear you down when they disagree with you."

Heydenrych, who has been shortlisted twice for the acclaimed Miles Morland African Writing Scholarship, added: "I am thrilled to be working with Bonnier Zaffre in bringing Shame on You to life. Their fresh, modern approach truly matches my vision for this novel."