Daphne Press signs 'groundbreaking' adult horror from Andrew Joseph White

Daphne Press has signed Andrew Joseph White’s You Weren’t Meant to Be Human, a horror novel about a "mute trans man aiding the covert invasion of parasitic alien species, until an unwanted pregnancy puts his own future at risk".

Davi Lancett, senior commissioning editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Jennifer March Soloway from Andrea Brown Literary Agency and Rachel Clements from Abner Stein Literary Agency.

The novel will be published in autumn 2025 simultaneously with Saga Press in the US. Soloway called You Weren’t Meant to Be Human a "groundbreaking horror novel" that "explores urgental societal issues – poverty, queerphobia, inequality and familial and partner abuse".

Lancett said: “Andrew is a fantastic talent and this book is an incredible evolution and escalation from his young adult titles.”

White added: “You Weren’t Meant to Be Human is my first adult novel, and a personal one. It touches on so many difficult topics surrounding my trans identity, my disability and more. Am I a bit nervous to show it to the world? Of course. But after working with Daphne Press and Illumicrate to release my first three books in the UK, this story is in some of the best hands I could ask for. I can rest assured that it will be handled with grace."