Orion lands social worker’s ‘extraordinary’ debut Psyche & Eros

Orion has signed social worker and Harvard University graduate Luna McNamara’s “fun, feminist and utterly captivating” retelling of “one of the greatest love stories in Greek mythology”, Psyche & Eros. 

Charlotte Mursell, editorial director at Orion Fiction, pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights to the debut novel from Hattie Grunewald at The Blair Partnership in a two-book deal. US rights have been sold at auction to Julia Elliott at Morrow, HarperCollins and translation rights have been sold in Italy (Garzanti), Poland (Muza) and Germany, with offers in eight other territories.

Psyche & Eros, in which the god of love, Eros, is pricked by his own cursed arrow and falls for a spirited, fierce young mortal woman, Psyche, will be published in the UK on 25th May 2023. 

Mursell said: “I am entirely obsessed with Luna McNamara’s extraordinary debut, Psyche & Eros. Not only does it have every single mythological ingredient you’re hoping for: a fierce, aspirational heroine, a Herculean-like quest, all your favourite gods and goddesses wreaking havoc on unsuspecting mortals – and, of course, the stunning backdrop of the outbreak of the Trojan War – but it also feels so fresh, witty and modern, perfect for that explosion of #retelling fans all over TikTok.

“We knew we needed to move fast to snap up Luna’s brilliant novel and we’re so thrilled that she’s chosen Orion to be her publisher."

McNamara added: "I have always been fascinated by the myth of Eros and Psyche – a timeless romance story about a princess who saves herself and her beloved. The writing of this story has been a bright thread to me during a dark time, and it is my absolute delight to partner with Orion to share it with the world.”