Audible nabs audio rights to Joy Ellis’ first novels in six-figure deal

Audible has acquired audio rights to Joy Ellis’ newly discovered unpublished first novel and the follow-up, in a "significant" six-figure deal.

Imogen Papworth, publishing content acquisition and partnerships manager at Audible, won the audio rights to Ellis’ An Aura of Mystery and The Colour of Mystery (both Joffe Books). The deal was brokered by Lorella Belli at the Lorella Belli Literary Agency. Both titles will be released in audio on 23rd May 2024, and the large print rights to both books have been sold to Ulverscroft.

Ellis was the Audible Debut Crime Author of the Year in 2018, and was nominated for audiobook of the year at the British Book Awards 2019 for Their Lost Daughters and Crime and Thriller Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2021 for The Patient Man (Joffe Books). "As these were my first full-length novels, and were unearthed from the attic, where they had slept for more than two decades, they are very special to me," she said. "As a massive fan of audiobooks, I am over the moon that Audible will be creating the audio versions."

Joffe added: "We’ve been so pleased with how readers have responded to something a little bit different from Joy. She’s an absolute genius of a storyteller, so I knew they’d love them, but some people even say this is their favourite series by her."

Papworth commented: "We’re so delighted to be championing the very first books Joy wrote. She is one of Audible listeners’ favourite authors, and we’re thrilled to be growing her catalogue onsite and investing in future titles from Joy."