Gollancz snatches ‘gripping’ supernatural British Museum heist by Talabi

Gollancz has acquired Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon and another as-yet-untitled novel by Wole Talabi.

Brendan Durkin, editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a two-book deal from David Grossman at the David Grossman Literary Agency on behalf of Astra Publishing. The first book will be published in e-book and audio in August 2023, with a hardcover launch following in February 2024.

The publisher says Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon introduces a sensational new character: Shigidi. The nightmare god is tired of working for the Orisha Spirit Company for scraps of prayer, and loathes the bureaucracy the company is mired in, which saps the joy from every assignment. So, when he meets the inspiringly dangerous Nneoma, the two make a pact to work together. But walking away from the Spirit Company isn’t so easy. The chairman has one last job for him – to liberate the stolen Brass Head of Obalufon from the British Museum.

Described as “a spectacular heist story which ranges from the streets of Lagos to the rooftop bars of Singapore and the secret spaces of London", the publisher says the gripping adventure spans two realms, and is a must-read for fans of Ben Aaronovitch and Neil Gaiman.

Talabi’s short fiction has made him a finalist for the Caine Prize, the Locus Award, and the Nommo Award. He is currently shortlisted for the British Science Fiction Association and Nebula Awards.

Talabi said: “Shigidi and Nneoma have lived in my mind for such a long time that I am really excited to finally share their adventure with the rest of the world. It’s been a pleasure working with the team at DAW/Astra and Gollancz to bring this book to readers. Readers can expect a fast-paced supernatural thriller with heart. Expect a heist story that is also a love story that is also a story of self-discovery. Expect a modern-day reimagining of Yoruba mythology interwoven with many other global myths and legends. Expect something fun and unexpected and maybe, if I’ve done my job right, something that is also very deeply human.”

Durkin said: “With Shigidi, Wole’s written one of those books you sit down to read in the morning and suddenly look up to see the sun’s already setting. It’s filled with magic and wonder, Shigidi and Nneoma are such a captivating couple, and the book has massively important things to say about the appropriation of other cultures in our society. This is a contemporary fantasy written for our modern world, and I can’t wait for people to read it.”