Fantasy and fairy tales for Gollancz

Gollancz has acquired the first YA series from New York Times-bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, as well as a series of three linked fairy-tale novellas.

Simon Spanton, deputy publishing director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in three titles by Sanderson from John Richard Parker of the Zeno Literary Agency.

The first title, Steelheart, will be published in autumn 2013 simultaneously with American publishers Delacorte Press. Spanton said: “Brandon Sanderson has already proved himself to be one of our best-loved fantasy authors. We are hugely delighted to be able to join him on this new adventure."

Steelheart follows David, a teenager in a city once called Chicago, as he searches for the extraordinarily powerful Epic named Steelheart who killed his father.

Gollancz editorial director Gillian Redfearn also acquired world rights in three novellas by Sarah Pinborough from Veronique Baxter of David High Associates.

Each of the novellas will be published in separate editions, "most likely" as illustrated hardbacks in 2013, and each is a “sexy retelling of a traditional tale”. Pinborough said: “I'm really excited to be able to go back to some of the oldest and most well-loved stories in the world and re-dress them in new deliciously dark colours. I'm hoping to make the reader smile and shiver in equal measure."

Redfearn said: “These will be such fun to publish, and I think they're going to put a big smile on readers' faces."