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Orion scoops four books from Aaronovitch in seven-figure deal
Orion has scooped four new DC Peter Grant books from bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch in a seven-figure deal.
Aaronovitch has sold 543,831 books in the UK for £4.5m, according to Nielsen, since the first novel in the series, Rivers of London (Gollancz), was published in 2010. The books follow a policeman turned magician’s apprentice as he solves crimes in London’s magical underbelly.
The next title in the series is the recently announced novella, The October Man, which will be published by Gollancz in June 2019 to coincide with Independent Bookshop Week. A new full-length novel, False Value, is now scheduled for autumn 2019.
Aaronovitch, a former "Doctor Who" screenwriter and Waterstones bookseller, said: “I’m excited to be taking Peter Grant forward into another four books. His adventure isn’t nearly finished yet and I’m looking forward to working with Orion to introduce him to an even wider audience.”
Orion says Aaronovitch has sold two million copies around the globe and 265,000 audiobooks in the UK alone. His previous audio titles were all read by actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, although his latest release will feature Sam Peter Jackson, to reflect The October Man’s German narrator.
Katie Espiner, m.d. of the publisher, struck a deal for world rights excluding North America and excluding French and German translation, with John Berlyne, director of Zeno Agency Ltd.
She said: “Ben is simply one of the most imaginative writers working today. His novels are a fully immersive, joyous ride and I am absolutely thrilled we have concluded this deal to bring four more novels to Folly fans everywhere. Ben’s sales across all formats are absolutely stellar – readers want to consume these books however they can get their hands on them, and I am thrilled that this deal will extend such a beloved series.”
“Orion have built Ben's brand up brilliantly over the last nine years and we’re delighted to see that continue with this headline-grabbing deal,” said Berlyne.
