Sphere signs debut thriller writer in six-figure deal

Sphere Fiction has acquired two psychological thrillers from debut author Laura Marshall in a six-figure pre-empt.

Lucy Malagoni, editorial director for Sphere Fiction, acquired the UK and Commonwealth rights, including audio, to Friend Request and a second untitled novel from Felicity Blunt at Curtis Brown.

Malagoni, who will publish the first book in 2017, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be welcoming Laura to the Sphere list. Friend Request is one of the most outstanding, compelling and emotionally resonant psychological thrillers I’ve read and I can’t wait to publish it.”

French rights have sold to Fleuve Editions and German rights have sold to Blanvalet in a four-way auction.

Laura Marshall recently graduated from the Curtis Brown Creative writing programme and lives in Kent.