Swedish debut thriller racks up 10 international deals ahead of LBF 2017

Debutant Elisabeth Norebäck has racked up at least 10 international deals for her debut psychological thriller In My Blood ahead of the London Book Fair starting tomorrow (14th March), with world English rights pre-empted by Penguin Random House US.

Represented by the Grand Agency, the book is about the loss of a child, toppling over into "insanity and violent obsession", told from three women’s perspectives.

Internationally, the pre-empts are said to have "practically rained over Norebäck" since the start of this month: World English rights to In My Blood were pre empted by Mark Tavani at GP Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House US, in deal made by Lena Stjernström, c.e.o. and agent at Grand Agency. 

It originally secured a two-book deal with Polaris Förlag, the Swedish branch of Danish publisher Politiken recently launched by Jonas Axelsson, to be its leading title in the autumn of 2017. Politiken in Denmark pre-empted the rights simultaneously in a two-book deal.

Stjernström said it was "too early to say" where the UK publication rights will land, though PRH would be expected to try to place the book within its group first.

Further rights have sold for publication in the Czech Republic, in a two-book deal, to Omega; Estonia, in a two-book deal, to Pegasus; Finland, in a two-book deal, to Like; Germany, in a two-book deal, to Heyne/Diana; Italy, in a pre-empt, to Editricie Nord; The Netherlands, in a two-book pre-empt, to Prometheus; Poland, in a two-book pre-empt, to Zysk; Turkey, in a two-book deal, to Penguen Kitap.

The auction for world Spanish rights will be closed later today or tomorrow, according to Stjernström.

Tavani, VP, executive editor, GP Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Random House, said: “I was immediately drawn into the world of these three women, and riveted by the suspense created between them. We all imagine sometimes that the worst could happen; this novel asks the question, If it did happen, what would you do? Readers will be drawn to this concept and to Elisabeth Noreback’s writing—and GP Putnam’s Sons will be very proud to publish her first novel in the U.S.”

Stjernström said: “It’s rare to find a debutant manuscript of this calibre. So intelligent constructed, well written, thrilling, and with the magic touch of a real page turner. We never hesitated a second about working with this book and I am so proud to be representing Elisabeth Norebäck, who’s successful journey in writing has only just begun.”

Axelsson at Polaris Förlag in Sweden added: "To start a new publishing house with a debut of this international calibre is definitely part of a publisher's dream. This is the best kind of domestic noir – a real page turner thanks to very well-drawn characters in an impressive and intense plot. Elisabeth Norebäck's career starts with a bang and she will gain readers around the whole world, be sure.”