One More Chapter inks two-book deal with 'hugely talented' Caroline Cauchi

One More Chapter will publish University of Hull lecturer Caroline Cauchi’s The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel as part of a two-book deal.

The deal was done by publisher Charlotte Ledger for world all-language rights direct from the author. In North America, it will be published under the title Queen of the Mist. 

The first book in the contract, Mrs Van Gogh, was a Globe and Mail bestseller in Canada. The second is tipped as “another pioneering novel that explores the lives of overlooked women in history” by HarperCollins’ One More Chapter imprint.

The Woman Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel is inspired by the life of Annie Edson Taylor, a former teacher from Buffalo, New York. “It’s 1901 and the mists of change are swirling. Queen Victoria’s reign is about to come to an end, and an obscure widow in Buffalo is about to attempt the impossible,” the synopis reads.

“Meet the courageous Mrs Annie Edson Taylor. The bravest woman you’ve never heard of and the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel – over a decade before any male daredevil dared to do the same. Enter a world of lost fortunes, and friendship, as Annie, grieving the past and determined to change the lives of the women around her, attempts to alter the course of history. With a single jump, that is.”

Cauchi is an internationally bestselling novelist. Her writing focuses on reimagining the stories of those women erased from historical narratives. She is based in the UK and is currently lecturing in Creative Writing at the University of Hull.

She said: “I’m so very thrilled to be working with the wonderful Charlotte Ledger and the One More Chapter team again. Annie Edson Taylor’s courage and determination are truly inspiring, and I’m incredibly excited for readers to discover her remarkable story.”

Ledger said: “When I first learned about the courageous Mrs Annie Edson Taylor I was immediately struck by her incredible story. She was in her 60s, penniless, and like so many women, completely overlooked and ignored by society.

“Yet she dared to change her fortunes with this crazy daredevil stunt, and she took on the Falls long before any man dared to do the same. I knew her story would need a similarly fearless author and it could only have been Caroline. She’s a hugely talented, passionate writer, and it has been so special to work on this novel with her. I can’t wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with Annie as much as Caroline and I have.”