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Quercus snaps up Artemis Fowl author Colfer's first adult fantasy novel
Quercus imprint Jo Fletcher Books has acquired the “remarkable” first adult fantasy novel by Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer.
UK and Commonwealth rights for Highfire were acquired from Sophie Hicks at the Sophie Hicks Agency. US and Canadian rights were acquired by Jonathan Burnham and Emily Taylor at Harper Collins US and translation rights have been snapped up in France to Flammarion and in Germany to Heyne. It will be published in the UK on 9th January 2020 in hardback.
Highfire is described as the “violent, gripping tale of Vern who’s been hiding out in the Louisiana bayou, until Squib Moreau explodes into his life, hotly pursued by a corrupt policeman, and his peaceful existence disappears in a hail of high-velocity projectiles.”
Children's author Colfer previously wrote the blockbuster Artemis Fowl series and has sold 25 million copies of his books around the world. The first film of the series, directed by Kenneth Brannagh and starring Dame Judi Dench, Josh Gad and Miranda Raison, is released this summer.
Publisher Jo Fletcher said:” The name Eoin Colfer would have been enough, but I was doubly hooked the moment I met Vern, the vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving dragon whose isolated life in the bayous of Louisiana is about to be interrupted by Squib Moreau, a swamp-wild, street-smart, dark-eyed, Cajun-blood tearaway looking to save his momma from the romantic attentions of a crooked constable. I can hardly wait to publish this remarkable, unforgettable book – think Pete’s Dragon crossed with the Sopranos, with a touch of True Blood, perfect for grown-up Artemis Fowl readers the world over.”
Colfer added: “I am thrilled that my dragon has found a roost at Jo Fletcher Books and Quercus. I cannot think of a better home for my first adult fantasy book and I hope that our relationship that got off to such a fiery start will burn brightly for years to come. I do apologise for the fire puns but I am excited.”
His agent Hicks said: "I am delighted that Eoin’s brilliant new novel Highfire has gone to the impressive Jo Fletcher. Jo and her team’s commitment and passion for the book from the very start has been incredible. Their enthusiasm for Eoin and for Highfire shows me that we are in great hands and I couldn’t be more excited for what is to come."
