Serpent Sword to HoZ digital-only imprint

Aria, the new digital only imprint from Head of Zeus, is to publish The Serpent Sword by self-published author Matthew Harffy in June.

The title will be the first in the Bernicia Chronicles series, a coming-of-age revenge thriller set in the Northumbrian kingdom in 630AD during the Anglo Saxon era.

The sequel, The Cross and the Curse, will be published in August.

Caroline Ridding, publisher of the Aria imprint, said: “Aria is dedicated to finding new voices and quality writing for an army of new readers. Matthew delivers perfectly with his gripping, action-packed historical thriller which marks the start of the fantastic Bernicia Chronicles. We are delighted to have Matthew on the team and look to capitalise on his independent success with the launch of The Serpent Sword in June, closely followed by The Cross and the Curse in August.”

Harffy said: “I am very excited to be working with Caroline Ridding and such a wonderful team of talented professionals at Aria and Head of Zeus, who are going to help lift the Bernicia Chronicles to greater heights and to get the books out to a wider audience.”

Head of Zeus holds world rights to the title.