Andy Weir's new novel set on the moon

Ebury is publishing a new novel from Andy Weir, author of The Martian, about a heist set on the moon. Film rights to Artemis have been pre-empted by 20th Century Fox.

British Commonwealth rights were acquired from Crown to publish simultaneously with the US on Ebury's Del Rey imprint on 14th November 2017. The film rights were acquired in a pre-empt by 20th Century Fox and New Regency, with Simon Kinberg and Aditya Sood, two of the producers of "The Martian", attached to produce for Genre Films.

Ebury describe Artemis as "a smart, funny, irresistible new adventure thriller". Set on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, at its centre is female protagonist and criminal Jazz Bashara who, according to Ebury, will be "every bit as memorable as Mark Watney". With debts to pay, Jazz seizes the chance to commit the perfect crime in the hope of a lucrative reward. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself.

Weir’s debut The Martian was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick for W H Smith and sold 286,994 copies for £1.4m across all editions through Nielsen. It was adapted for major motion picture from 20th Century Fox, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. 

Weir said: "I’m really excited about Artemis. I got to do the science-dork stuff I love, but this time with a much more complex and character-driven plot. It’s a big stretch for me, but I think it came out well. Hopefully the readers will agree."

Ebury Fiction publishing director, Gillian Green, said: "Publishing The Martian has been a roller coaster ride of excitement for all of us here at Ebury and we’re delighted that we’re all on board again for Andy’s new book. Artemis has all the ingredients that we love about Andy’s writing and that made The Martian such a global phenomenon – it’s a story of human survival and it’s full of drama, humour and cool science. This is a genre-busting SF novel that will again have broad appeal to non-genre fans, wrapped up in a fresh, high concept adventure and with a lead character who quite frankly I’d back in a fight with Mark Watney."