Harvill Secker pre-empts Gothic debut inspired by Bulgarian folklore from Anna Kovatcheva

Harvill Secker, an imprint of Vintage, has acquired a Gothic debut inspired by Bulgarian folklore and Buffy the Vampire Slayer from Anna Kovatcheva. Publishing director Liz Foley pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights to She Made Herself a Monster from Victoria Hobbs at AM Heath, for publication in March 2026.

The book follows the story of fake vampire slayer Yana, an unconventional kind of healer who travels from one desolate town to the next, staging grisly tableaus while the villagers sleep, as she joins forces with an outcast teenage girl to help a cursed village in 19th-century Bulgaria.

Yana tells stories of monsters that stalk the night and vampires that only she can vanquish. People stop fearing one another and begin to fear the monster. Then Yana eliminates the threat, and leaves seeds of hope in her wake. 

The synopsis continued: "Yana then meets a headstrong young orphan called Anka, whom the villagers blame for their misfortune. Together, they hatch a plan to conjure a monster so vile, he may provide cover for Anka to escape – but their plan takes on a life of its own."

Foley said: "Anna’s vampires in She Made Herself a Monster are quite different to what you might expect, and they are not the only surprise in this wonderfully written and immersive novel. We’re so excited to be welcoming her to the Harvill list."