Penguin Michael Joseph pre-empts Annie Summerlee's romantasy debut

Penguin Michael Joseph has pre-empted The Book of Blood and Roses, a “sizzling” sapphic romantasy by debut author Annie Summerlee, amid an international rights frenzy.

Rebecca Hilsdon, editorial director, pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in two books from Kiya Evans at Mushens Entertainment ahead of a multi-publisher auction. North American rights were sold to Tricia Narwani, editor-in-chief at Del Rey, by Ginger Clark on behalf of Kiya Evans at Mushens Entertainment. German and Italian rights have also been sold at auction and further international deals are expected to follow. 

Slated for early 2026, The Book of Blood and Roses, is pitched at fans of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and A Deadly Education (Cornerstone).

The book follows vampire hunter Rebecca, who must enrol in an elite vampire university to retrieve The Compendium, an ancient text hidden in a secret library which will give Rebecca the answer to ridding the earth of vampires. But when she meets Aliz, the beautiful daughter of Europe’s most powerful vampire family, she starts to question everything she thought she knew.

Summerlee said: “I’m so excited to have found a home for my sapphic vampires (and the hunters who love them) with Rebecca Hilsdon at Penguin Michael Joseph and Tricia Narwani at Del Rey. Their enthusiasm for this novel blew me away. I had a blast writing The Book of Blood and Roses, and I can’t wait for readers to visit this gloomy and gothic university in the Highlands, where students may or may not bite.”

Hilsdon said: “I was totally spellbound by The Book of Blood and Roses from the sizzling chemistry to the propulsive plot and the eerie setting. This novel has all the ingredients that makes this story the perfect romantasy. Annie is a wonderful talent who brings such a fresh, distinctive voice to the romantasy genre and everyone’s favourite undead character, the vampire.”

Evans described Summerlee as “a huge talent”. She added: “I couldn’t be happier for Annie and her brilliant, smart, sexy debut – this is the sapphic, enemies-to-lovers, gothic vampire novel we’ve all been longing for, with a romance that will have you giggling/blushing/kicking your feet in glee.”

Narwani commented: “Into each generation a fantasy star is born, and this time it’s Annie Summerlee – this extraordinary new writer has infused the vampire romantasy with new blood. The Book of Blood and Roses transported me to a moonlit world of glamor, sensuality, and heart-stopping romance – it will hold readers enthralled.”

Summerlee lives in Spain. She has a degree in History of Art, and is currently studying to be a history teacher. Her short stories have been featured in publications such as 404 Ink, Litro, So To Speak and she has been shortlisted for various prizes.