Little, Brown signs Henry VIII 'blockbuster romance'

Little, Brown has acquired two books by debut author Olivia Hayfield, the first of which is a retelling of the story of King Henry VIII "with a 21st century twist".

Emma Beswetherick, associate publisher at Little, Brown Book Group, signed a deal for world rights in two books by Hayfield through Vicki Marsdon at High Spot Literary.

The first, Wife After Wife, is pitched as "a rollicking retelling of the story of England’s favourite ginger tyrant, King Henry VIII, with a 21st century twist" and "the perfect sun-lounger read".

Beswetherick commented: "Even without the history behind the story, the Henry in Hayfield’s debut is the most magnetic of heroes. Throw in the familiar story of Henry’s love affairs with his six wives and you have a blockbuster romance full of glamour, intrigue, deception, and danger. It truly is the perfect sun-lounger read."

Hayfield is the pseudonym for Sue Copsey, a children’s author now based in New Zealand who has also worked as an editor for over 20 years.

Film and TV rights are being handled by Vicki Marsdon.