Pan Mac signs Waterstones bookseller's magical folk ballad reimagining

Pan Macmillan has signed Waterstones bookseller Lucy Holland’s “incredibly special” reimagining of a folk ballad set in magical ancient Britain.

Editorial director Bella Pagan acquired world rights for Sistersong from Veronique Baxter, at David Higham Associates. The book, “a gripping tale of treachery, love and ultimately, murder” inspired by folk song “The Two Sisters”, will be published in spring 2021.

“Three siblings fear a life of confinement within the walls of their father’s hold – a last bastion of strength against the invading Saxons,” its synopsis states. “But change comes on the day ash falls from the sky. It brings Myrddhin, meddler and magician, and Tristan, a warrior whose secrets will tear the family apart. Riva, Keyne and Sinne are drawn inexorably into a story of forbidden magic and hidden ambition. It's a tale of hope, empowerment and also despair, which will shape the destiny of Britain.”

Holland, an Exeter Waterstones bookseller, who wrote the Pan Mac-published Worldmaker trilogy under the name Lucy Hounsom, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be working with Bella on Sistersong. This is a story I've wanted to tell since I first heard 'The Two Sisters' ballad several years ago. Bringing a tumultuous period in history to life has been both challenging and exhilarating, and I couldn't be happier that the book has found a home at Macmillan.”

Pagan added: “Lucy has produced something incredibly special. I was enthralled by the sisters’ darkly magical tale and captivated by the maturity and depth of the storytelling. If you’ve loved reading Naomi Novik and Madeline Miller, Sistersong will be an absolute treat.”