You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Electric Monkey snares Anna Fiteni's 'enchanting' YA debut in two-book deal
Electric Monkey, an imprint of HarperCollins, has snared Anna Fiteni’s "enchanting" YA debut inspired by Welsh folklore.
Asmaa Isse, commissioning editor, signed the deal for UK and Commonwealth rights for two books with Lydia Silver, literary agent at The Darley Anderson Children’s Books Agency. The first book in the
deal, The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire, will publish on 23rd October 2025.
The first book is set in a small mining village in 19th-century Wales and follows Sabrina Parry and her "tough, cruel, and practical" life as she holds together her splintered family.
The synopsis continues: "When her ill sister Ceridwen vanishes into the woods, Sabrina is drawn into a beautiful but decaying world of fairies and monsters of old. And when an annoyingly handsome fae stranger offers her a dangerous bargain, Sabrina is forced to barter with her freedom to save her sister."
The publisher described the novel as a "lyrical yet accessible romantasy novel, deeply rooted in Welsh mythology, with high-stakes adventure and swoony romance". Electric Monkey added that the book will be supported by a marketing and PR campaign, and will be published in a multi-format line-up catering to all romantasy readers.
Isse said: "Anna’s utterly enchanting world and exquisite storytelling completely swept us away. The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire is a truly captivating and accessible dark fae fantasy, that not only speaks of Anna’s love for her own Welsh language and mythology, but combines time travel and high stakes adventure with a slow-burn romance that fizzes off the page."
Continues…
Read More
Silver said: "Anna Fiteni is the best type of romantasy writer – an author who will deepen your understanding of the world. I’m delighted to have brokered this dangerous bargain between Anna and the fantastic team at Electric Monkey, and I can’t wait for readers to be beguiled by The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire."
Fiteni said: "From our first conversation, I knew Electric Monkey was the perfect publisher for The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire. Asmaa and her team are so supportive, welcoming and incredibly fun to work with, and it’s clear that my book is in the very best hands. My debut novel is inspired by Welsh history and folklore, and so I am over the moon to be sharing not just my characters and story with readers, but also a piece of my home as well."
