Hutchinson Heinemann pre-empts Harkin's heart-pounder in six-figure deal

Hutchinson Heinemann has pre-empted a “heart-pounding” novel about the power and dangers of memory by Jo Harkin in a six-figure deal.

Charlotte Cray, publishing director of fiction acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, for Tell Me An Ending from Felicity Blunt at Curtis Brown, for publication in spring 2022. It was pre-empted in the US by Scribner.

The synopsis explains: “Across the world, four people receive an email saying they can have back a memory they’ve had erased. Of course, they don’t remember having it removed and the mere knowledge that they’ve chosen to hide something from themselves sends a riptide through their lives.”

Jo Harkin studied English literature at university and “daydreamed her way” through various jobs in her 20s before becoming a full-time writer. Her focus is on speculative literary fiction — “what if” stories with an emphasis on human lives. She lives in Berkshire.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted that this novel will be published by Hutchinson Heinemann: their plans as an imprint are very exciting and I’m thrilled to be part of them. Charlotte’s enthusiasm and acumen stood out to me immediately, and we share the same vision for the novel. I’m hugely looking forward to working with Charlotte and her incredible team, in this new stage of my career.”

Cray added: “Tell Me An Ending is an explosive, psychologically complex and at times heart-breaking read. I fell in love with these characters who are plagued by such a simple but mind-blowing notion that we can play God with our own stories. Jo Harkin is a superb talent and I know readers will be riveted by this daring book.”

For rights enquiries please contact Sarah Harvey at Curtis Brown  on sarah.harvey@curtisbrown.co.uk