Mills & Boon lands two books from debut author and former ballerina

Mills & Boon has landed two books from debut author and former ballerina Melanie Hamrick.  

Rebecca Slorach, commissioning editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to First Position and one other book from Annelise Robey and Rebecca Scherer at the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Cindy Hwang at Berkley has acquired North American rights. First Position will publish on 22nd June 2023.  

The publisher describes the book as “a seductive exploration of the dark and ambitious world of ballet”. The synopsis reads: “Sylvie Carter has broken every rule to get to the top of her profession, but the ballet world is as unforgiving as it is ruthless. When a devastating scandal erupts, Sylvie loses everything she’s ever worked for. Yet, when she meets renowned dancer Alessandro Russo, Sylvie is magnetically drawn to him, and once again her world starts to spiral.” 

Hamrick said: “I’m so excited to be working with Mills & Boon to share my debut novel with everyone. Ballet, reading and writing have always been passions of mine and I’m so grateful to see them come to life!” 

Slorach added: “Melanie’s novel is a powerful and propulsive debut. From the moment I first read First Position, I was captivated by the desire and obsession behind the glamour of dance. Melanie is a fantastic new addition to Mills & Boon’s growing trade publishing list and I am thrilled to be working with her on such exciting books.”