Bloomsbury snaps up two ‘dazzling’ novels from Shannon 

Bloomsbury has acquired the next instalment Samantha Shannon’s Roots of Chaos series and a standalone novel in a “major” deal.

Editor-in-chief Paul Baggaley obtained world English rights from David Godwin to both titles. Grace McNamee is the acquiring editor in the US. Publication for both titles will backed by an international marketing and publicity campaign. 

The next novel in the series, which so far has included The Priory of the Orange Tree and the upcoming A Day of Fallen Night, will publish in February 2023.  

The second will be centred on the Greek goddess Iris, exploring sisterhood, grief and the bonds between women in the face of adversity. “Iris, winged messenger of the Olympians, is haunted by the harrowing events of the Titanomachy,” the synopsis reads. 

“To prove her loyalty in its wake, she seeks only to serve Zeus and Hera, no matter the personal cost. But when the Trojan War begins, dividing the gods, Iris comes to realise that even immortals can never escape the shadow of the past – and that she might have more power than she first believed.”

Shannon is also the author of The Bone Season series, which was optioned for TV. Her work has been translated into 26 languages and has sold more than 1.3 million copies globally, according to the publisher.

“It’s wonderful to be embarking on a new journey with Bloomsbury, who have always encouraged me to follow my instinct and imagination,” she said. “I’ve wanted to tell a story inspired by Iris for several years, to have the opportunity to publish it, as well as continue the story that started with The Priory of the Orange Tree, is a dream come true. I’m grateful to every reader who has supported my work over the past decade – I really hope you’ll join me for the next one.”

 Baggaley said: “Next year marks the 10-year anniversary of the publication of the first instalment of the Bone Season series, and since then Samantha Shannon’s dazzling and imaginative novels have captivated readers and established her as one of the shining stars of our publishing. The team is so excited for the decade ahead, and to have the chance to publish two very different books which highlight her remarkable talent.”