Jo Fletcher pre-empts 'sizzling' romantic fantasy series by début writer Golden

Jo Fletcher Books has fallen for a “sizzling” romantic fantasy series, The Sacred Stones trilogy, by début author Kate Golden, in a pre-empt.

Publishing director Anne Perry acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Heather Baror-Shapiro of Baror International on behalf of Taylor Haggerty and Samantha Fabien of Root Literary. US rights were sold to Berkley, Italian rights to Sonzogno, German rights to Heyne Verlag, French rights to Gallimard, Spanish rights to Urano, Brazilian Portuguese rights to Melhoramentos, Hebrew rights to Modan and Polish rights to Dariusz Marszalek.

The first book in the series, A Dawn of Onyx, was originally self-published, but inspired such excitement on social media Golden was offered representation almost immediately. Onyx tells the story of Arwen, a young healer, who is taken prisoner by the dangerous Onyx King and offers to use her healing powers in exchange for her brother’s life. To make it out of enemy territory she’ll have to navigate back-stabbing royals, dark magic and dangerous beasts. But untold power lies inside Arwen, dormant and waiting for a spark. If she can harness it, she just might be able to escape with her life – and hopefully her heart. Jo Fletcher will publish in October 2023 with the second and third novels in the trilogy publishing in 2024.

Perry said: “I started reading A Dawn of Onyx after seeing it recommended on social media, and wound up finishing it at 4 a.m., when I woke up unable to sleep and desperate to know what happens next. It’s absolutely thrilling to be able to bring Kate’s beautifully crafted world to a wide audience, and I know everyone will be as delighted by the villain-gets-the-girl romance (or does he...?) as I was. Kate is a brilliant new voice in dark romantic fantasy and I’m so delighted she’s joining the JFB team.”

Golden added: “I was thrilled when Anne first reached out about A Dawn of Onyx. JFB’s understanding of the UK market, combined with their passionate and innovative approach to the trilogy’s release will give the books so many wonderful opportunities and ensure they are discovered by even more romantasy readers. I couldn’t be more excited!"