Derek B Miller’s first sci-fi novel goes to Jo Fletcher Books

Jo Fletcher Books, Quercus’ fantasy and science fiction imprint, will publish Derek B Miller’s first sci-fi novel, Radio Life.

Publisher Jo Fletcher acquired world rights from Rebecca Carter at Janklow & Nesbit. Publication is scheduled for January 2021. 

Radio Life is a political sci-fi thriller set in a post-apocalyptic civilisation. The book is inspired by the author’s love for Walter M Miller's A Canticle for Liebowitz (J B Lippincott & Co, 1959) and shares with it a grand if troubled vision about the roles of technology, knowledge and wisdom at the heart of our possible futures, said the publisher. 

Fletcher commented: "I was already a big fan of Derek’s crime novels, so being presented with his first venture into SF was a rare treat for me. We share a huge love and admiration for A Canticle for Liebowitz, but Derek explores similar themes from an entirely different viewpoint, which I find fascinating. At the heart of this exciting, prescient novel is the desperately important question of how we treat knowledge and what we do with it."

Miller said: "Working with Jo Fletcher Books has been a godsend as I took the bold step to pursue the writing I love through another genre. JFB knew how to support my voice and ideas in this material and better bring it to the attention of those who might be swept away in the story too."

Miller's debut Norwegian by Night (Faber & Faber, 2013) won the CWA John Creasey Dagger. His following crime novels, The Girl in Green (Faber, 2017) and American by Day (Black Swan, 2019), were shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger.