Avon signs two more from C L Taylor

Psychological thriller writer C L Taylor has signed a deal with HarperCollins imprint Avon for two more suspense novels following her "amazing" 2019 success.

Publishing director Helen Huthwaite acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Madeleine Milburn at the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency.

Taylor’s thrillers have sold over a million copies in the UK alone and been translated into over 20 languages, the publisher said. Through the TCM, she has sold 444,958 books for £1.8m, including her bestseller The Missing which shifted 124,319 copies (Avon, 2016).

Her first hardback, Sleep (Avon), released in paperback in September, was chosen for the Richard and Judy Book Club and won best e-book at the 2019 Amazon Publishing Readers’ Awards. It has also been optioned for the screen by Bill Kenwright Films.

Taylor said: “I am delighted to sign a new contract with Avon, HarperCollins for two more books. The last year has been a career highlight for me with the publication of Sleep, and so many of my publishing ambitions have been fulfilled. It wouldn't have been possible without the hard work, innovation and determination of the Avon team. I look forward to seeing what magic they can work on my next book, Strangers, and the books after that.”

Huthwaite added: “I couldn’t be more delighted to tie up a deal for two more books with C L Taylor, taking her phenomenal publishing into 2023. It has been the most amazing year for Cally, and in a year of firsts, we have seen her reap the rewards of both her sheer capacity for hard work and incredible talent as she secured a Richard & Judy Book Club slot as well as stepping into the hardback market for the first time with the publication of Sleep. I have no doubt that the year ahead will bring even greater successes her way. We couldn’t be prouder to continue publishing her books; each and every one is both a privilege and a sheer joy to work on.”