Bookouture signs Kirk and recontracts Hurst and Wolfe

Bookouture has acquired titles by authors J D Kirk, Daniel Hurst and Leslie Wolfe.

Publishing director Natasha Harding acquired world English language rights, including audio, to two thrillers by Kirk from Elizabeth Counsell at Northbank Talent Management. 

Kirk is the author of the DCI Logan crime series which launched in 2019 and has, according to the publisher, sold over three million copies across all formats, alongside two spin-off series featuring DI Heather Filson and Robert Hoon.

Kirk said: “Having been successfully publishing my own work for the past few years, I wasn’t sure what a publisher could possibly offer me. Then I sat down and spoke with Bookouture, and immediately felt a connection with the team. Their enthusiasm and excitement was infectious, and I can’t wait to start working with my editor, Natasha, on what promises to be a thrilling new chapter in my writing career.”

Harding has also signed Hurst for four more psychological thrillers. The Doctor’s Wife hit number one in the UK Kindle charts, remained in the UK top 100 for several months and has been sold in six territories, the publisher says. Harding acquired world all-language rights (plus audio and film and TV) directly from the author.

Hurst commented: “I am thrilled to be teaming up with Bookouture once again and this time for four psychological thrillers. It’s always enjoyable to work together as we build twist-filled plots that will hopefully continue to keep my readers guessing!”

Harding said: “I’m over the moon to be signing J D Kirk, I’ve greatly admired his publishing journey so far and I can’t wait to work with him on two brand new thrillers. And I’m equally excited to be publishing more books with Daniel Hurst and continuing our successful publishing partnership.”

Publisher Ruth Tross has also acquired world all-language rights directly from Wolfe to her second psychological thriller, scheduled publishing January 2024. Bookouture published her first, The Surgeon.  

Wolfe said: “I’m thrilled to announce my latest book deal with Ruth, my incredible publisher, and the Bookouture team. I am profoundly grateful for our continued collaboration, and I truly believe readers are in for an unforgettable journey.”

Tross added: “Leslie is one of the best in the biz, delivering jaw-dropping reveals and pulse-pounding action every time. We couldn’t be more excited about building on The Surgeon’s success with this fantastic new book.”