Gollancz acquires three books from sci-fi author Lord

Gollancz has acquired three novels by Dr Karen Lord, one new novel and two of her previous works.

Publishing director Marcus Gipps acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, for a new science fiction novel by Lord, from Hana El Niwairi at Cooke McDermid on behalf of Sally Harding, as well as the two other books. Gollancz will publish The Blue Beautiful World alongside Del Rey in the USA on the 31st August 2023. Backlist titles The Best of All Possible Worlds and The Galaxy Game, will also be reissued by Gollancz in early 2024.

The novel is described as “an optimistic, thoughtful SF in the vein of Ursula K Le Guin in which the world has changed, and humankind has changed with it. After the great floods, human civilization has adapted with domed retreats, artificial islands, and virtual reality environments that replicate a lost world.”

Its synopsis goes on: “But now the world is about to change again. Earth has been observed from afar by other civilizations, and they are ready to make contact. And preparing for this world-shaking event are people who have already devoted their lives to creating new visions of the future. And then there’s Owen, a charismatic mega popstar, who has a secret behind his ability to connect with his adoring fans. Owen’s talent may be the key to uniting humanity as it looks towards the stars... and to its own hidden secrets."

Gipps said: “I have long been a fan of Karen’s work, and the chance to both publish her new novel and reintroduce some of her backlist to the reading public was one I couldn’t pass up. I’m greatly looking forward to working with her, and for everyone to discover her clever, beautiful science fiction."

Lord said: "The Blue, Beautiful World is a story of our origins and our diasporas, a recurring theme in my journey as a Caribbean writer of sociological fiction. I hope readers will find much to ponder, and also lots to make them smile.”

Lord is the Barbadian author of Redemption in Indigo (Jo Fletcher Books), which won the Kitschies Golden Tentacle for Best Debut, was longlisted for the Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature and nominated for the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. She edited the anthology New Worlds, Old Ways: Speculative Tales from the Caribbean, published by Peepal Tree Press in 2016.

She said: “I’m thrilled that the Cygnus Beta novels have found a home with Gollancz, and honoured to join their list, which includes many of my favourite books, both classic and contemporary. It’s been 10 years since the publication of The Best of All Possible Worlds, so I view this as a kind of anniversary gift!”