Aria acquires two historical novels from Robotham

Aria has acquired two historical novels from M J Robotham, a pen name of author Mandy Robotham. The world English language deal was brokered by Aria editorial director Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks and Broo Doherty of the D H H Literary Agency. The first book, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux, will publish in hardback, e-book and audio, in January 2024.

Taking the form of a faux autobiography of eponymous author Ruby, The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux is set in the second half of the 20th century. It follows the life story of a woman "determined to live life on her own terms as she navigates the latter half of the 20th century, from suburban life during the war to [...] Venice and war-torn Vietnam, meeting men and adventure along the way". 

Faulkner-Willcocks said: "I’ve honestly not encountered many characters as brilliant as Ruby Devereaux. Her memoirs, drawn from her by a mercenary publisher, are a delightful and empowering rollercoaster ride through recent history, written through Ruby’s unique perspective, and of course with Mandy’s trademark flair and impeccable research. Reading on submission, I had to remind myself that Ruby was a fictional character, she felt so real to me. We’re hugely excited to bring her story to the world."

Robotham added: "I’m so delighted to be joining the team at Aria with a new slant to my writing. Ruby has been sitting on my shoulder for the past two years, making me laugh with her incorrigible ways, and so it’s high time she went out into the world again, this time in print. I only hope the world is ready for her!"

Doherty commented: "Reminiscent in tone to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, this is a monumental book, both in terms of the history it covers so engagingly, but also in terms of Ruby herself. Her story is quite simply scandalous but utterly phenomenal."

Robotham holds an MA in Creative Writing and now writes full-time as Mandy Robotham following a career as a midwife.