Kennedy’s TikTok fantasy ‘phenomenon’ goes to PMJ in five-book deal

Penguin Michael Joseph (PMJ) has snapped up Raven Kennedy’s The Plated Prisoner series, dubbed by the publisher as a TikTok fantasy “phenomenon”, in a five-book deal.

Commissioning editor Rebecca Hilsdon acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for Gild, Glint, Gleam, Glow and one other novel from Kimberly Whalen at The Whalen Agency in the US. 

Previously rights have been sold at auction to Poland, Italy, Bulgaria and Spain and pre-empted in Germany with “more deals expected to close soon”.

The first three novels in the series, Gild, Glint and Gleam, will be released in e-book on 17th May and in paperback editions on 2nd June with Glow following in early summer. The final instalment of the series is scheduled to be published in spring 2023. 

A dark fantasy retelling of King Midas, the series follows Auren, who journeys to find her place in the world after living under King Midas’ rule for 10 years. Along the way, she battles enemies of the realm and her own demons from a life spent under lock and key.

Both Kennedy and the series have a combined hashtag view of 50 million on TikTok and along with achieving Amazon bestseller status in the US, the novels have garnered more than 30,000 reviews. 

Hilsdon said: “It is no surprise The Plated Prisoner series has gripped TikTok. Raven has built a world that is full of complicated characters, a gripping plot and twists no reader will see coming…I’m excited for the UK to meet Auren and discover her world.”

Kennedy commented: “I am so excited to work with Penguin Michael Joseph and for their amazing plans to expand this series in the UK and Commonwealth areas. It’s all because of my incredible readers that as an indie author, I’ve been given this kind of opportunity to work with such a great literary agent and publisher. This is one huge bright side that Auren would be proud of, and I can’t wait to see what the Plated Prisoner Series does alongside Penguin.”