Orbit pre-empts 'bone-chilling' horror book from Megan Bontrager

Orbit has pre-empted Megan Bontrager’s "bone-chilling" The Sea Hides its Dead, which follows a group of academics and adventurers trapped in a sea cave, who must "reckon with eldritch horrors as they are forced to atone for their greatest sins".

Clara Chuiton at Olswanger Literary Agency sold world English rights in three standalone supernatural horror novels in a pre-empt to Nadia Saward, commissioning editor at Orbit (Little, Brown Book Group). Editor Alyea Canada has acquired for Orbit US and a joint publication is planned for June 2026. The Sea Hides its Dead will be published on Orbit’s Run For It list – Hachette UK’s first dedicated horror list.

Bontrager said: "I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this deeply personal story, full of cosmic horrors and endless reasons to never go in the sea again, is going to exist alongside lifelong favourites. This truly is the dream team."

Saward added: "Megan’s book is a manifestation of everything I love. I cannot wait to deprive readers of a good night’s sleep when they pick this up."

The book’s US editor, Canada, added: "As a disillusioned former grad student who is fascinated by the deep ocean, I was so excited when Megan’s book crossed my desk. Megan has a fresh voice."