Hodder & Stoughton swoops in for Lam's fantasy trilogy in three-way auction and six-figure deal

Hodder & Stoughton has won a three-way auction for Laura Lam’s epic fantasy trilogy in a six-figure deal.  

Molly Powell, editorial director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to the Dragonfall trilogy from Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment. Leah Spann at DAW snapped up North American rights from Mushens in an exclusive submission. Dragonfall will be published in May 2023 in the UK and US simultaneously.  

The synopsis says: “Long ago, humans betrayed dragons, stealing their magic and banishing them to a dying world. Centuries later, their descendants worship dragons as gods. But the "gods" remember, and they do not forgive. Thief Arcady scrapes a living on the streets of Vatra. Desperate, Arcady steals a powerful artifact from the bones of the Plaguebringer, the most hated person in Lumet history. Only Arcady knows the artifact’s magic holds the key to a new life among the nobles at court and a chance for revenge. 

“The spell connects to Everen, the last male dragon foretold to save his kind, dragging him through the Veil. Disguised as a human, Everen soon learns that to regain his true power and form and fulfil his destiny, he only needs to convince one little thief to trust him enough to bond completely – body, mind, and soul – and then kill them. Yet the closer the two become, the greater the risk both their worlds will shatter.”

Powell said: “Dragons! Thieves! Shenanigans! Dragonfall is my epic fantasy dream: a richly wrought world populated by the most fascinating characters, told by an incredibly accomplished writer. I’ve been a long-time fan of Laura’s work, and I am over the moon to be publishing this trilogy in the UK.” 

Lam added: "Dragonfall is a love letter to all of my favourite elements of epic fantasy but I also wanted to write a deeply romantic story, full of a lot of yearning and forbidden love. I can’t wait for readers to meet Everen and Arcady and hopefully fall for these characters, too. A giant thank you to Leah and DAW, Molly and Hodder, and Juliet for believing in the project and helping these dragons soar to new heights. I’m so grateful." 

Mushens also commented: “Laura is a gorgeous writer, and what more could you want than sexy dragons and thieves? Molly’s ambition and passion was evident throughout the auction and I’m excited to see them bring the trilogy to market.”