Penguin Michael Joseph pre-empts TikTok hit trilogy from debut author Dramis  

Penguin Michael Joseph has pre-empted The Curse of Saints trilogy by debut author Kate Dramis, with a hashtag for the books amassing more than 4.6 million views on TikTok.

Senior commissioning editor Rebecca Hilsdon pre-empted world rights from Jessica Killingley at the bks Agency and rights have already been sold via pre-empts in Spain, Poland and Hungary.

The first novel, The Curse of Saints, will be published in hardback and e-book on 11th May 2023 with the following instalments publishing in spring 2024 and 2025.

The series follows Aya, Spymaster to the Queen, whose oath ensures she protects those she fights alongside – including Will, the Queen’s Enforcer and Aya’s bitter rival. When rumours of dark magic rise in a nearby kingdom, both are sent to investigate. But when Aya’s power acts beyond her gods-given affinity, she risks being turned into a weapon in a war she doesn’t know how to win.

The Curse of Saints hashtag has, according to the publisher, already had 4.6 million views on TikTok and Dramis’ social channels have more than 1.1 million likes and 35,400 followers.

Hilsdon said: “I immediately fell in love with Aya and her story. The Curse of Saints is a high-octane book full of drama with a swoonful enemies-to-lovers romance. I am so excited to welcome Kate and her wonderful world to Penguin Michael Joseph."

Dramis commented: “It’s an absolute dream to be working with the Penguin Michael Joseph team! I truly cannot imagine a better home for Aya, and am so grateful for the excitement and care they’ve shown for her story. I’m blown away by the love The Curse of Saints has received across the Internet already, and am so excited to bring readers this trilogy with the support of Penguin.”