Hodder triumphs in five-way auction for Chao’s ‘delightfully irreverent’ adult fantasy trilogy

Hodder & Stoughton has triumphed in a five-way auction for debut author A Y Chao’s adult fantasy trilogy. 

Editorial director Molly Powell acquired world English rights to Shanghai Immortal and two other books from Jamie Cowen at the Ampersand Agency. The first book will be published in summer 2023 in hardback.

Powell said: “I adored this novel from first page to last. It’s rip-roaringly funny and achingly tender, told with one of the most memorable voices I’ve ever read. Lady Jing is a truly, outstandingly snarky, sarcastic, no-holds-barred heroine."

The synopsis states: "Set in 1930s Shanghai, Shanghai Immortal follows Lady Jing–half-fox spirit, half-vampire, all sasshole—as she is tasked with escorting a gentle mortal through the depths of Hell, an irritating distraction from her quest to discover why her hulijing elders are scheming to steal the king’s priceless dragon pearl."

Chao said: “I am thrilled Shanghai Immortal found a home at Hodder and so excited to be working with trailblazing editor Molly Powell. Having not only my agent Jamie Cowen but now also Molly and her amazing team cheering on Lady Jing in all her irreverent arseyness fills me with gratitude and joy.”

Cowen added: “It’s just the greatest feeling for an agent when your excitement about an author and their writing is matched by editors and publishers and that has definitely been the case with A Y Chao’s Shanghai Immortal and the brilliant Molly Powell at Hodder. It’s a wonderful book full of wonky love and wry humour with a gorgeous feast-for-the-senses setting.”