You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Penguin Michael Joseph wins Lee Onhwa’s novel, nets record-breaking 11 territories pre-publication
Penguin Michael Joseph has acquired Lee Onhwa’s A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang, a “richly comforting” novel in translation from Korea following a four-way auction.
The book has also sold in 11 territories already, “a record for Korean literature”.
Senior editor Madeleine Woodfield bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Emily Randle at Randle Editorial & Literary Consultancy, on behalf of Eric Yang Agency, following a four-way bidding war for publication in November 2025.
Tipped by Penguin Micheal Joseph (PMJ ) as a “richly comforting” novel, it follows 27-year-old Yeon-hwa who has recently lost her grandmother, the enigmatic proprietor of the Hwawoldang that sells sweets and baked goods. Although the two did not have a close relationship, Yeon-hwa decides to respect her grandmother’s wishes by keeping the store going for at least a month, between the hours of 10pm and midnight.
But on Yeon-hwa’s very first day at work, she is quickly interrupted by one of her grandmother’s most regular visitors, who hints that Hwawoldang is no ordinary pastry shop, and its customers not entirely alive. Will Yeon-hwa be able to find the closure she craves through her interactions with her customers, and continue her grandmother’s legacy of aiding those left in the land of the living?
PMJ said: “Pre-Korean publication, this novel sold in 11 territories across the globe, which is a record for a Korean title, and PMJ will be working closely with William Morrow in the US who acquired in a six figure pre-empt. Lee Onhwa is a pseudonym for a bestselling prizewinning author who lives in Seoul.”
Continues...
Read More
Onhwa said: "This is my first novel as Lee Onhwa, and I’m truly delighted that this first step under a new pen name has led to pre-publication rights deals in 11 countries – a first for Korean literature. I’m especially thrilled that it will be published by Penguin Michael Joseph and William Morrow. These days, I feel a warmth and happiness as sweet as the desserts I’ve enjoyed.”
Woodfield added: "This is such a gorgeous and special novel that I cannot wait to publish this autumn, when the nights are drawing in and everyone is looking for that comforting read to curl up with. Lee Onhwa is such a talent, and it is a real honour to be bringing this story, which has made such a splash across the world, to the UK market.”
Last year The Bookseller revealed the increasing number of "healing fiction" titles especially from Korea and Japan.
