S&S falls for Warwick's 'decadent' romantasy series in a four-book deal

Simon & Schuster has swooped for The Four Winds series in a four-book deal from romantasy author Alexandria Warwick. 

Clare Hey, publishing director for adult fiction, and Anthea Bariamis, associate publisher of fiction and audio at S&S Australia, acquired world rights directly from the author in a joint deal. The North Wind, the first book in the deal, will be published in the UK and Australia in May 2024 with Saga Press publishing in the US. The second book in the deal, The West Wind, will follow later in the same year with books three and four scheduled for publication in 2025. 

Rights have been sold in USA (Saga Press), Spain (Anaya), France (Univers Poche), Portugal (Leya) and Poland (Foksal).

"I’m glad to be publishing this captivating series and bringing it to readers across the world," said Bariamis. "Alexandria is extraordinarily talented and her blend of mythology and fairytale has resulted in a mystical setting that leaves readers enthralled."

The North Wind attracted notice when it "gained considerable momentum" on TikTok with over seven million views, according to the publisher. It is a "lush romantic fantasy novel in the vein of ’Beauty and the Beast’ and the myth of Hades and Persephone". All the books in the series have been inspired by Ancient Greek mythology and fairytales.

Warwick commented: "I am happy to make a home at Simon & Schuster. Their enthusiasm for the Four Winds series is contagious."

Newly appointed commissioning editor, adult fiction, Charlotte Trumble added: "The Four Winds has everything you want from a romantasy series and more. The North Wind is a brilliantly paced slow-burn romance, with complex characters and an atmospheric fantasy world."