#Merky Books snaps up New Writers' Prize winner William Rayfet Hunter’s debut

#Merky Books has revealed the title and publication date for William Rayfet Hunter’s “dazzling” debut novel, which won the #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize in 2022. 

#Merky Books will publish Sunstruck in May 2025. The #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize winner is awarded a contract with #Merky Books for world rights including film and TV. Tallulah Lyons acquired Hunter’s book for the publisher. Hunter is now represented by Kat Aitken at United Agents.

Sunstruck follows an unnamed young man who is invited to a luxurious mansion in the south of France by his wealthy university friend, Lily Blake. There, he is introduced to Lily’s family and develops an overpowering attraction to her older brother Felix, which will irrevocably alter his life and the future of those around them. 

Assistant editor Linda Mohamed said: “I feel incredibly lucky to be publishing Will’s debut Sunstruck. I fell in love with it the day it won the 2022 New Writers’ Prize and I first read its captivating opening. It is a gripping and dazzling exploration of falling for someone who is different, perhaps too different, from us, and of wanting to belong to a world we normally wouldn’t have access to. It’s also an equally glamorous and vulnerable story with a cast of irresistible characters that says so much about race, class and queer relationships in modern-day England. I can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with Sunstruck and Will’s bewitching writing.” 

Hunter said: “I am so excited to introduce the world to Sunstruck. The last year has been incredible, truly the stuff of dreams. I am so grateful to the entire team at #Merky Books as well as the previous New Writers’ Prize winners for their expertise, guidance and support through this process. I can’t wait for the next steps and for people to read my story.”