Michael Joseph pre-empts Klass' climate activist thriller

Michael Joseph has joined sister companies in the US and Germany in pre-empting an “astonishingly of-the-moment” thriller about a climate activist, Out of Time by author and Hollywood screenwriter David Klass. Rights to adapt the title have also been sold to Netflix.

Michael Joseph publisher Joel Richardson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Sabila Khan at Dutton. World rights for Out of Time had already been pre-empted by Lindsey Rose in North America, and Goldman pre-empted the German rights. Michael Joseph will publish in summer 2020.

Netflix has optioned the film rights, with Klass himself to adapt the script. American film producer Liza Chasin and her company 3dot Productions will produce.

“The novel is a gripping cat-and-mouse story of FBI analyst Tom Smith and a terrorist like no other: a climate activist whose attacks are inspiring a green movement,” Michael Joseph said. “Smith must ask himself a shocking question: What if the man he is trying to stop is the one who is trying to save the world?”

Klass is the New York City-based screenwriter of numerous Hollywood films, including "Kiss the Girls", and has also written widely for young adults. He was inspired to write Out of Time by his teenage daughter, a climate activist. He has written a number of YA novels published in the US.

Richardson said: “From the moment I heard the concept of Out of Time, I knew I had to read it, and from the moment I reached the end I was desperate to publish it. This really couldn’t be more of-the-moment, and I’m sure readers of Terry Hayes or James Swallow will devour it.”