Garth Nix moves to Hot Key

Garth Nix has moved to Hot Key Books in a multi-book deal.

Editor-at-large Emma Matthewson bought UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada and ANZ) to the next two novels in Nix's bestselling Old Kingdom series, from agent Antony Harwood in association with Jill Grinberg.

The deal also includes e-book rights for the first three Old Kingdom titles, Sabriel, Lirael and Abhorsen, all of which are published in their print editions by HarperCollins in the UK. A further book of short stories is also included in the deal.

The first of the new novels, Clariel, will take place 600 years before the events of Sabriel, and will explore the story of a goldsmith's daughter drawn to forbidden magic. Clariel will be published simultaneously in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the US in September 2014.

Matthewson said: "I have admired Garth’s writing for many years, and to have the opportunity to publish him here at Hot Key Books is very exciting. Garth’s new novel Clariel is a tour de force and will be devoured by Old Kingdom fans who have been waiting for more tales of Charter Magic and the Old Kingdom."

Hot Key m.d. Sarah Odedina commented: "To have a writer of Garth Nix's reputation and standing join our already prize-winning and best-selling authors is an indication of the impact we have made in a relatively short time."