Bloomsbury triumphs in four-way auction for Natasha Siegel's gothic fantasy

Bloomsbury has triumphed in a four-way auction for a multi-generational gothic fantasy by London-based novelist Natasha Siegel. 

Publishing director Vicky Leech Mateos acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Catherine Cho at Paper Literary for two stand-alone books.

North American rights went to Ariana Sinclair at William Morrow in a six-figure pre-empt, and Italian rights were sold to De Agostini (Italy) by the Italian Literary Agency on behalf of Paper Literary.  

As Many Souls as Stars will be published in November 2025 as a lead title on the new fantasy list at Bloomsbury. 

Leech Mateos said: “I instantly fell in love with this tale of magic, love and time—and rushed to make a deal of my own with Catherine. Full of the joys of fantasy and yet brilliantly genre-defying, this is an exceptional read that cast a spell over us all at Bloomsbury. Natasha’s writing is full of transporting historical detail, with thrilling twists and an abiding, thought-provoking romance. The first of two stand-alones, As Many Souls as Stars will leave you convinced Natasha Siegel is a brilliant new voice.” 

Cho said: “This novel completely swept me away—magical, deliciously dark and transportive. I’m delighted that Natasha has found such a brilliant UK home with Bloomsbury and incredible champions in Vicky and Ariana."

Siegel is a writer of historical fiction, fantasy and romance. She was born and raised in London, in a Danish-Jewish family. As Many Souls as Stars is her UK début, having previously published historical fiction with Penguin Random House US.

Siegel said: “It’s such a privilege to work with Bloomsbury, which has so many incredible authors and such a talented team. I can’t think of a better home for my UK début. As Many Souls as Stars is a book that has haunted and consumed me for years: a story about feminine fury, sapphic longing and the weight of history. It’s a perfect fit for the amazing list Vicky is building, and I’m so excited to work with her in bringing my work to my home country.”