Granta triumphs in 11-way auction for Clegg’s book on the 'dark side of Christmas'

Granta Books has triumphed in an 11-way auction for Sarah Clegg’s The Dead of Winter, a book about "the dark side of Christmas".

Associate publishing director Laura Barber acquired world language rights on proposal, at auction, from Hayley Steed at Janklow & Nesbit, for publication in October 2024.

The book explores the folklore, traditions and rituals of the festive period. The synopsis adds: "At hoodenings, Krampus runs and winter gatherings, attended by ghastly, grinning horses, snatching monsters and mysterious visitors, we discover how these traditions originated and how they changed through the centuries, and we ask ourselves: if we can’t keep the darkness entirely at bay, might it be fun to let a little in?"

Barber commented: "We were all completely bewitched by Sarah’s proposal. The stories she tells reveal an unsettling shadow-side to a time of year we often associate with twinkling fairy-lights and festive jollity.  

"The tales and traditions are compelling enough, but it’s Sarah’s own narrative skills which truly enchant. Her writing is a winning combination of authoritative, illuminating and playful and we think she is a star of non-fiction in the making."

Clegg added: "I’m absolutely delighted to be working with Laura and Granta on The Dead of Winter. This has been a passion project for a long time, and to find that Laura and her team were as excited about the dark side of Christmas as I am was just wonderful. I can’t wait to see the book we’ll make together."