Europa pre-empts Yi's 'funny and bonkers' debut in two-book deal

Europa Editions UK has acquired Esther Yi's "incredible" debut novel Y/N in a two book pre-empt.

Editorial director Christopher Potter acquired UK rights  Anna Stein at the Abner Stein Agency on behalf of Marleen Seegers at 2 Seas Agency and the originating US publisher Astra House.

Described as a "literary K-pop novel and a highly original, deeply philosophical and often hilarious take on modern love", the novel is slated for publication in 2023.

“Y/N is unlike anything I’ve ever read before — wise, funny and bonkers, I loved it," said Potter.

Seegers said: “I got pulled into Y/N from the very first sentence thanks to Esther's unique, refreshing new voice. Christopher Potter's enthusiasm for and appreciation of her sense of humour and the one-of-a-kind atmosphere of Y/N convinced me right away he is the perfect UK editor for this incredible debut.”

Publisher Eva Ferri, who also pre-empted Italian rights for E/O, Yi's second novel, added: “I was delighted to hear the excitement in Christopher’s voice when he first told me about Y/N, and despite being at Frankfurt Book Fair, I was hooked as soon as I started reading and spent a couple of very late nights in the company of one of the most refreshing, brilliant new voices I have come across in a long time. Esther Yi’s remarkable novel poses deep questions about who or what we love, and how.”