Hera acquires two Dickens-inspired novels by Havelocke

Hera has acquired two “stunning” Dickens-inspired historical novels from Barbara Copperthwaite, writing as Barbara Havelocke.

Keshini Naidoo, publishing director, acquired world rights including translation and audio acquired directly from the author. Estella’s Expectations, the first in the deal, will be published in hardback and e-book in spring 2024, with the second as-yet-untitled book following in 2025.

Estella’s Expectations is described as “a dazzlingly imagined origins story of the famously cold-hearted Estella, reared from childhood in a house of darkness by Miss Havisham, one of the most iconic literary figures of all time".

Naidoo said: “From the moment I picked up this chilling, darkly inventive origins story, I was gripped. Great Expectations is the most adapted of all Dickens’ novels and everyone knows Miss Havisham, whether they have read Dickens or not, so it has a wonderfully wide appeal.

“Giving Estella’s story a contemporary feminist afterlife, Estella’s Expectations explores what happens to this young woman’s psyche as she grows up in the shadow of the world’s most famous jilted bride. Must Estella embrace the dark destiny she has been raised to, or can she forge a new path for herself?

“This is a timely feminist Gothic reimagining of one of the most enigmatic of all Dickens’ characters and a gripping thriller in its own right. We are delighted to be welcoming Barbara to the Hera list and cannot wait for readers everywhere to discover Estella’s unforgettable story in 2024."

The author commented: “When I was writing Estella’s Expectations I dreamed of finding a publishing team who were as passionate and enthusiastic about it as I am. In Hera, dream and reality have become one and Estella has found her home. Keshini and Jennie’s enthusiasm and vision for the future is right up there with mine. We truly feel like a partnership and we’re going to share an exciting future together.”