Hachette and Virago pick up audio rights for 13 titles from Margaret Atwood backlist

Hachette Audio and Virago have picked up audiobook rights for 13 titles from Margaret Atwood’s backlist.

Sarah Shrubb, Hachette audio director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding the US and Canada, from Karolina Sutton of CAA.

Shrubb said: "It’s a huge privilege to bring the work of one of the world’s most important authors and a Canadian icon to Hachette’s audio list. I’m proud and delighted that we’ve been able to cast Canadian-based actors and, in many cases, we’re using multiple voices to enhance the drama of these wonderful novels."

The titles acquired include Booker winner, The Blind Assassin, the Oryx and Crake trilogy, Alias Grace, Cat’s Eye and her first novel, The Edible Woman, among six others. The audio editions join the paperback editions of the many Atwood titles published by Virago. They launch in May 2025.

In addition, in October to mark the 25th anniversary year of the publication of The Blind Assassin, Virago will publish a limited-edition paperback with a new preface by Margaret Atwood.

Lennie Goodings, chair of Virago, said: "Virago began publishing Margaret Atwood in 1979 and we have over 20 of her titles in print; it’s a real thrill for us to have the chance to publish her audiobooks now and to release a special edition of her first Booker winner. There is no one like Margaret Atwood, continually in the public eye,  almost clairvoyant in her vision, always clever, often funny and with a talent that crosses so many disciplines and genres.  Her first book was published in Canada in 1969 and nearly 60 years later she remains one of the most exciting international writers."