Francesca Main unveils new Orion imprint Phoenix Books

Francesca Main is to launch Phoenix Books, her new Orion imprint, with a mix of new voices and rising stars, including books from Cathy Rentzenbrink, debut novelist Sussie Anie and writer Alex Marazano-Lesneich.

The imprint will focus on releasing work that is "characterised by voice, storytelling and emotional resonance", with a focus on fiction and memoirs, with some non-fiction. 

Main said: "When it came to deciding on a name, we realised the perfect choice was already part of Orion’s story—as a former paperback imprint of W&N, which the new imprint is proudly associated with. In the spirit of its namesake, Phoenix has been reinvented, with a new colophon and a new identity, ready to rise from the flames. There is huge energy behind Phoenix at Orion and we hope it will quickly become a destination imprint for books you can’t put down and can’t forget."

The imprint's colophon (below), which features a burning feather, was designed by Orion Art Director Lucie Stericker and designer Rachael Lancaster.

The first six authors acquired for Phoenix are a mix of new voices and rising stars. The imprint’s first publication, in May 2021, will be Fault Lines, a debut novel by British-Japanese author Emily Itami. Main acquired world rights from Kirsty McLachlan at David Godwin Associates in a two-book deal. The novel is described as "'Brief Encounter' set in contemporary Tokyo—a witty, sharp and moving story of modern love from a writer to watch."

Publishing in July 2021 is Everyone Is Still Alive, the first novel from memoirist Rentzenbrink. Main acquired world English language rights from Jo Unwin at JULA in a two-book deal. Set on Magnolia Road, a tree-lined street in a desirable neighbourhood, and exploring the lives of several families for whom the rupture of a relationship has devastating consequences, Everyone is Still Alive is described as a  "piercing and intimate exploration of marriage, parenthood and the anxieties of our age."

Coming in 2022 is British-Ghanaian author Sussie Anie’s debut novel To Fill A Yellow House, which portrays "the unlikely friendship between a bullied black teenage boy and the white middle-aged owner of a local charity shop; a timely and deeply moving exploration of community, prejudice and belonging". Main acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a 48-hour pre-empt from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment.

Also publishing in 2022 is the first non-fiction book by novelist David Whitehouse. About a Son is a work of creative non-fiction blending memoir, reportage and true crime to tell a "powerful and heartbreaking story of grief and the pursuit of justice". Set in the author’s home town of Nuneaton, it is inspired by the diaries of local man, Colin Hehir, whose son Morgan was murdered in an unprovoked knife attack by a young man with a history of violence. Main acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown.

Further non-fiction acquisitions for Phoenix include Please Don’t Kill My Black Son Please by Ugandan-American poet and essayist Hope Wabuke, described by the publisher as "a beautiful, devastating and vital examination of black American motherhood", inspired by her viral essay. Main pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights from Ben Fowler at Abner Stein, on behalf of Sarah Bowlin at Aevitas. US rights have been acquired by Vintage.

Also joining the list is Marazano-Lesneich, with their new book, Both and Neither, which explores non-binarism and shows how, far from being a recent phenomenon, there is a long history of people across the globe who have lived beyond the gender binary. It was acquired by Phoenix in the UK after a "hotly-contested" five-way auction from Rebecca Carter on behalf of PJ Mark at Janklow & Nesbit. US rights went to Doubleday after a nine-way auction.

Main, publisher and former Editor of the Year at the British Book Awards, joined Orion earlier in 2020 after eight years at Picador. During her career, she has launched and published writers including Jessie Burton, Adam Kay, A J Pearce, Emma Flint and Rentzenbrink.

She said: "After joining the company in lockdown I’m thrilled to announce the new imprint and set foot in the office for the first time this week. Reading the work of these extraordinary writers, collaborating with the brilliantly creative team at Orion and shaping our ambitions for the future have been a source of great hope and inspiration during the unprecedented events of recent months."

Phoenix will produce a monthly newsletter, 'Annotations', featuring essays, interviews, book recommendations and behind-the-scenes insights as well as proof giveaways, exclusive material and event links

Orion m.d. Katie Espiner said: "The extraordinary quality and range of titles that Francesca has acquired in just a few short months is testament to her taste, her reputation, and her innate ability to connect with what readers want. Phoenix Books will be a hallmark for quality books, compellingly told, and this is such an exciting launch for Orion. Francesca is quite simply one of the best editors and publishers in the business and I feel lucky every day that I get to work alongside her."

Commenting on the new imprint, Rentzenbrink said: "As a writer I am delighted to be reunited with Francesca and to be able to continue the editorial relationship, which is one of the great joys and privileges of my life. As a reader, I just can’t wait to get my hands on the other books on the list, all of which look amazing and make me want to down tools immediately and lose myself in their pages. It is such an honour to form part of Francesca’s inaugural list at Phoenix and to be there at the start of a beautiful and fiery presence which I’m sure will bring both illumination and warmth to the world of books."