HarperCollins inks second global deal with Slaughter

HarperCollins has inked a "major" world English and foreign language publishing agreement with thriller writer Karin Slaughter.

The deal is for four more books in English as well as more than a dozen additional languages.

The titles are scheduled to be published annually through to 2022, and will include two standalone novels and two novels in her popular Will Trent series. The publisher has acquired both world English and foreign language rights with the intent to publish across all HarperCollins locations worldwide through its Global Publishing Program. The deal was negotiated with Victoria Sanders at the Victoria Sanders & Associates agency.

The news comes two years Slaughter left Penguin Random House for HarperCollins as the publisher ramped up its “unique global publishing programme”. That four-book deal also involved English rights and and rights to publish the work in more than a dozen foreign languages.  At the time, the deal  marked the first time HarperCollins had acquired a new author with world English and foreign language rights with the intention of publishing across all HarperCollins locations worldwide.

Pretty Girls was published in 2015 and the following year The Kept Woman heralded the return to the Will Trent series. The Good Daughter became her fastest-selling hardcover novel to date according to HarperCollins. In July 2018, Pieces of Her will explore the deadly secrets kept between a mother and daughter.

Brian Murray, president and c.e.o of HarperCollins Publishers: “She has been a superb partner as we work together to grow her brand and her readership in all of our markets. Karin is always game to travel internationally, to meet her readers, booksellers and media whenever we ask her to support her foreign publications, making her a jewel in our global publishing program.”

“I am excited to continue our strong partnership with Karin. Working with all of the HarperCollins territories on her campaigns to expand her readership globally continues to be very rewarding,” said Liate Stehlik, senior v.p and publisher, William Morrow. “She has incredible appeal not only in the United States, but around the globe. Karin’s novels are not only masterfully written with suspenseful twists and turns, but they are also poignant and powerful. Karin is an important voice in fiction and we look forward to bringing these new books to her fans.”

Kate Elton, executive publisher at HarperFiction and NonFiction, described Slaughter as “a pleasure to publish”. She said: “It’s been the most enormous privilege to work with her for nearly 20 years now, and I'm so happy to be able to plan forward into the next decade.”

“The global HarperCollins team has proven to be a terrific partner. Every territory has exceeded my expectations with their cohesive, strategic approach to publishing,” said Slaughter. “I am honoured by the thoughtful dedication that has gone into continuing to advance my international publishing programs as well as the tremendous success in the United States. I am absolutely thrilled to continue publishing with HarperCollins and to remain with my longtime editor, Kate Elton.”

The author is a winner of numerous awards including the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award, Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, SIBA Best Book of the Year, People’s Choice Award for Crime & Mystery and Suspense Magazine’s best thriller award. She has also been nominated for a number of other awards and her Will Trent series, Grant County series and standalone novel Cop Town are all in development for film and television.