Century wins Greenwood’s love story in six-way auction as US rights go for seven figures 

Century has triumphed in a six-way auction for The Love of My Afterlife, described as “a fresh, funny, warm-hearted love story with a twist”, by Kirsty Greenwood.

Editorial director Katie Loughnane acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a two-book deal from Hannah Todd at Madeleine Milburn Literary. North American rights were sold in a major seven-figure deal at auction to Jen Monroe at Berkley (PRH US) and Deborah Sun de la Cruz at Penguin Canada.

Elsewhere, translations rights have been sold to 14 publishers, including pre-empts in Spain (Anaya), Finland (Bazar), Italy (Sperling & Kupfer) and Hungary (General Press). International rights were sold at auction in eight further territories, including Germany (Droemer Knaur).

Century will publish as a lead title in paperback, e-book and audio in June 2024. The novel tells the story of recently deceased Delphie Bookham who has just met The One in the waiting room of the afterlife, but is devastated when a mix-up means he is immediately sent back to Earth. Delphie is given a second chance and accepts a deal in which she can return to Earth to reconnect with the mysterious stranger she’s sure is her soulmate. The challenge? She only has 10 days to find him. Ten days to make him fall for her. And he has no recollection of them ever having met…

Greenwood said: “I’m over the moon to be working with Katie Loughnane and her most excellent team at Century. Their genuine enthusiasm for the romance genre, creative approach, and ambitious plans for The Love of My Afterlife really blew me away. I’m so excited to work with them in bringing my quirky, unabashed rom-coms to as many readers as possible. What an absolute thrill this past few months have been!"

Loughnane commented: “Kirsty’s effervescent voice and her hilarious, charming, unique love story instantly swept the whole team at Century off their feet. Everything about this novel is memorable from the oh-so-relatable one-liners to characters who sparkle on the page, to the final twist that left me speechless – and genuinely not sure if my heart was going to be in one piece again by the end! The Love of My Afterlife may begin with a death, but it’s a story that is bursting with life and humour, packed full of love and emotion and truth. We can’t wait to get started on our quirky, creative, ambitious campaign that will ensure this novel is an unmissable publication next year."

Todd added: “I am so thrilled to have such an incredible team behind Kirsty and The Love of My Afterlife. As soon as Kirsty first pitched this novel I knew she had to write it, but even then we couldn’t have foreseen the incredible response it received from editors from all around the world. The way in which Katie, Jen and Deborah have clicked with the narrative, Kirsty’s voice and the novel’s messages has been phenomenal to see and I can’t wait to work with them all to take this out into the hands of readers!”