HQ lands Sutanto's adult debut in two-book deal

HQ has landed the debut adult novel from Jesse Q Sutanto, Dial A For Aunties, in a two-book deal.

UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by commissioning editor Katie Seaman from Sam Farkas on behalf of Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management. It will be published in trade paperback, e-book and audio in April 2021. North American rights were previously sold to Berkley at auction and film rights have already been optioned by Netflix.

Pitched as Crazy Rich Asians meets "Weekend at Bernie’s", the book is a multi-generational novel following Meddy Chan, a young wedding photographer who, along with her mother and well-meaning but meddling aunties, tries to hide the body of her blind date while working at the wedding of a wealthy client.

Sutanto, who lives in Jakarta, is the author of The Obsession, a YA suspense novel forthcoming from Sourcebooks Fire in February 2021, and Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit, the first in a middle-grade series set to publish in early 2022 from Imprint.

She said: “I am beyond thrilled that Dial A for Aunties has found its home at HQ. Katie and the team are brilliant, and I know I can rest assured that Dial A for Aunties is in the best possible hands.”

Seaman added: “Brilliantly original and fun, I devoured Dial A For Aunties in one sitting. Part crime caper, part romantic comedy, Jesse brilliantly brings these two genres together in such a clever, entertaining way. I’m delighted that Jesse has said 'I do' to HQ and we can’t wait to introduce Meddy and her amazing aunties to readers.”