Embla Books nabs novels by Batchelor and Weinberg after closure of RedDoor Press

Embla Books, the digital-first commercial fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired two new psychological thrillers from Penny Batchelor, as well as two previously published psychological thrillers by Batchelor and a sweeping historical Second World War novel by Amanda Weinberg following the closure of their previous publisher RedDoor Press.

Cara Chimirri, editorial director, acquired world all-language rights for all titles directly from both authors. The plan for the previously published works is to re-release and re-package them under the Embla banner later this year. 

Penny Batchelor’s Her New Best Friend and My Perfect Sister will be repackaged by Embla for publication in 2023, to be followed by her two new psychological thrillers in 2024.

Chimirri said: “Penny is the master of the did-not-see-that-coming twist and both Her New Best Friend and My Perfect Sister had me gripped from the very first page until the final heart-stopping conclusion – which always makes you question everything you thought you knew! Penny captures the characters and situations we can all recognise from our own lives, but pushes them to their limits. It is such a privilege to welcome her to the list at Embla.”

Batchelor said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the Embla team and can’t wait to work with Cara and Emilie. They are extremely supportive of my work and I look forward to introducing two more books to readers. I’ve long since admired Bonnier Books and it’s a dream to be one of their authors.”

Embla will also re-release Amanda Weinberg’s Italian Second World War novel The Tears of Monterini as The Italian Bookshop Among the Vines, in spring 2023.

Chimirri said: “I am an avid historical fiction fan and Amanda’s stunning novel cast a spell over me, as it transported me to wartime Italy and shone a spotlight on some of the most fascinating, heartbreaking and inspiring events of that time. Her amazing reader reviews speak for themselves, and I could not be more thrilled to be working with Amanda to take it to even more readers around the world.”

Weinberg commented: “I am totally thrilled to be joining Bonnier Books UK’s team of authors as part of the Embla division. So excited for the launch of the new cover and title and I am looking forward to introducing my story to a new group of readers.”

RedDoor Press closed in September 2022 after the business hit hard times during the pandemic. Clare Christian, RedDoor Press publisher, told The Bookseller: "At the beginning of 2022 Heather and I discussed how we could best tackle the difficult trading climate and we decided to try adding two more income streams to the business, including online courses and book packaging services. In spite of working hard to promote these over the following months neither of them took off in the way we had hoped. We made the decision to close RedDoor in September 2022."

On Embla’s acquisitions, she said: “I am so delighted that these wonderful books have found a new home with the talented team at Embla. Both Penny and Amanda are exceptional storytellers and I am looking forward to seeing where this new partnership takes them.”

Christian said she has been in negotiation with "a number of publishers" about RedDoor titles, with "some deals in negotiation".