Simon & Schuster signs 'masterclass in romantasy' from Stacey McEwan

Simon & Schuster has scooped a romantasy duology from BookTok "sensation" Stacey McEwan. 

Charlotte Trumble, commissioning editor adult fiction, acquired world rights, in partnership with Amara Hoshijo at Simon & Schuster US and Anthea Bariamis at Simon & Schuster Australia, from Amy A Collins at Talcott Notch Literary following an exclusive submission. A Forbidden Alchemy, the first book in the series, will be published simultaneously in the UK, US and Australia in autumn 2025.  

McEwan posts on TikTok under the handle @staceymcewanbooks and is also the author of the Glacian series. She commented: "I wanted to write a story that evoked the romance of ’Bridgerton’, the magic of Shadow and Bone and the atmosphere of ’Peaky Blinders’." 

A Forbidden Alchemy is set in a world divided between artisans and craftsmen. The former can control elements and matter and the latter possess "keen" physical strength. 

The synopsis adds: "When Nina and Patrick first meet in childhood, they are about to be tested for magical Artisan abilities – and end up stumbling onto a devastating secret about the magic governing their society. Many years later, a Craftsman revolution begins and the two find themselves on opposite sides of a war: Nina, now an elite Artisan, is captured by Patrick’s rebellion in an unexpected reunion." 

Trumble said: "A Forbidden Alchemy is a true masterclass in romantasy, with a fated, beautiful love story set in a rich and immersive fantasy world which has a broken class system that feels very close to home. We are all incredibly happy to be publishing Stacey’s new duology in the romantasy scene where she has built such a dedicated and engaged community."