Gollancz snaps up two sci-fi comedy mysteries based on Victoriocity podcast

Gollancz, Orion’s science fiction and fantasy imprint, has signed two spin-off books from the sci-fi detective comedy podcast “Victoriocity” from couple Chris and Jen Sugden.  

Rachel Winterbottom, senior commissioning editor at Gollancz, acquired world all language rights to the two books from Harry Illingworth at D H H Literary Agency, with the first, entitled Victoriocity, to publish in hardback on 9th November 2023. 

It tells the story of ex-Detective Inspector Archibald Fleet and journalist Clara Entwhistle who have launched Even Greater London’s first ever detective agency. When a missing person’s case lands on their doorstep, Clara leaps at the chance to solve it, the synopsis continues. Every week, a man has printed the same message in the classifieds, telling his lover he will wait for her on Blackfriars Bridge. Instead of a romantic reunion, however, he’s smuggled away into the night. Fleet, meanwhile, is distracted by the case of London’s most sensational bank heist: impenetrable vaults are being emptied across the city. With the agency – and their lives – at risk, the pair find themselves at the centre of a conspiracy of unimaginable proportions.    

The authors said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the world of Even Greater London and the adventures of Fleet and Clara to readers. The ’Victoriocity’ podcast has found a larger and more passionate audience than we ever could have hoped, and with these novels we are excited to share new, standalone stories that will be an ideal jumping-on point for newcomers (while also, for existing fans, opening up new parts of the city and goings-on only hinted at up until now). We are delighted to be working with Rachel, whose passion and expertise have been invaluable, and to have found in Gollancz the perfect home for these stories." 

Illingworth said Winterbottom’s enthusiasm for Victoriocity was “infectious from the start” and that she was the perfect editor to bring the book to life. “This novel is just what we need right now; the perfect combination of humour, science fiction and mystery,” he said. 

Winterbottom added she was a huge fan of the podcast and the pair’s version of history is “as clever as it is comedic.” She said: “Mystery and murder have never been so fun, and I can’t wait for listeners and readers to experience the incredible world of Even Greater London."