Penguin snares 23-year-old Hamilton Murray's fantasy debut in 'upper six-figure' deal

Penguin has won a six-way auction for a YA romantasy series, Storm Weaver, by 23-year-old debut author Lauryn Hamilton Murray, who started writing it during her final year of university.

Carmen McCullough, publisher, acquired world rights for three books from Catherine Cho at Paper Literary. The deal was described as an “upper six-figure deal” by the publisher.  

The first title in the series, Heir of Storms, is slated for June 2025 and “is set to take the world by storm", Penguin said. Rights have already sold in six countries, including a "significant" US deal with Roaring Brook Press. 

“At just 23, the Scottish author is a phenomenal new talent, and her cinematic debut is packed with all the features of a hit: a compelling cast of characters, stunning world-building, an electrifying love triangle, high-stakes political intrigue, and a life-or-death competition,” Penguin said.  

The Storm Weaver series is described by Penguin as “Twin Crowns [Electric Monkey] meets Sarah J Maas with a touch of The Hunger Games [Scholastic]". It follows Blaze, as she vies against other Etheri, masters of elemental powers, to be the ruler of a kingdom where crowns are not inherited – they’re won.

The blurb reads: “When Blaze came into the world, she almost drowned it. Blaze, a Rain Singer, is born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the kingdom.  

“Her birth summoned a devastating storm that resulted in the deaths of thousands, and she has spent her life as an outsider, reviled and feared. When Blaze and her twin brother, Flint, are selected to compete in the Choosing Rite, the trials that decide the future rulers of the kingdom, she’s suddenly thrust into the limelight – and into battle. 

“A handsome prince and a royal throne within her reach, Blaze is poised to take the crown and restore her honour.” 

Hamilton Murray said: “I am beyond excited to be working with Carmen and the amazing team at Penguin Random House Children’s, whose enthusiasm for this series has utterly blown me away.

"I wrote Heir of Storms during my final year of university, and I could never have imagined  where it would lead me. To be given the opportunity to share this book with readers across the  world while being published alongside a number of my literary heroes is a true privilege. I’m so grateful to the Penguin Random House Children’s team, to my brilliant US editors Kate and Emilia at Roaring Brook, and to my incredible agent, Catherine, who believed in me and this story from the very beginning.” 

She obtained her BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Stirling, and is soon to graduate from the University of Edinburgh with a Masters in Creative Writing. 

McCullough said: “This is such an exciting time for the fantasy market and all of the sub-genres within it. It’s incredibly important to us to have a fantasy offering for every reader and Heir of Storms really is best-in-class romantasy. Lauryn is an exceptional talent and I know there will be a huge global audience for her totally compelling series. I can’t wait for everyone to meet Blaze in 2025.”  

Beth Fennell, senior rights executive, revealed that the title “immediately caused a storm among the team and we are thrilled to be the lucky ones to represent it”. She added: “We loved watching Blaze come into her own, surrounded by mystery and deception, and we can’t wait to see where her story goes next. We are delighted that Heir of Storms has already been snapped up in six languages and we are expecting lots more to come.”