Headline signs Sarah Schmidt for second novel

Headline imprint Tinder Press has signed a new novel by Sarah Schmidt, author of forthcoming debut See What I Have Done (Tinder Press).

Writing of the new book is underway and, according to agent Gordon Wise, it is said to have "a different terrain [to See What I Have Done] but no fewer dark and compelling paths to follow".

Associate publisher Leah Woodburn said “Sarah's already deep into the writing of her new book, and it sounds incredible. The whole house has embraced See What I Have Done, and we believe very strongly that Sarah has a dazzling literary career in front of her, so it felt completely natural for us commit to another book now and start looking further into the future.”

Tinder Press’s marketing and publicity campaign for See What I Have Done, a retelling of the Lizzie Borden murders, is underway ahead of publication on 2nd May. Tinder Press printed a run of special proofs with an interactive cover, while on social media it put out Twitter teaser campaigns including a minute-by-minute countdown to the murders, and a "Meet The Bordens" series. It also produced an eerie trailer unveiled at the recent Hachette Showcase.

Schmidt will be coming to the UK for publication and to attend a range of events including a Waterstones Piccadilly #BadGirls event, a panel celebrating literary true crime with Emma Flint (2nd May), a Waterstones Liverpool event with Paula Hawkins (3rd May), and a Rooftop Book Club with fellow Tinder Press author Sarah Winman (4th May). The PR campaign will be supported with a PR and print advertising package with the Times, Guardian, Telegraph and Stylist.

UK rights were bought from Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown on behalf of Pippa Mason at Curtis Brown Australia.

Wise said: “It's been so exciting seeing how the Tinder team have been building towards publication of See What I Have Done and we couldn't resist the invitation to come back for more as we look forward to Sarah's second novel - which has a different terrain, but no fewer dark and compelling paths to follow.”

Barbara Ronan, Headline sales director, said “See What I Have Done has been received with great enthusiasm across the trade on the back of a stand out PR and marketing campaign, and we are confident of great grassroots bookseller support, both in the UK and internationally.”

TV rights for See What I Have Done have been optioned by Tessa Ross’s House Productions.