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The Bookseller’s most read rights deals of 2024
Every year, The Bookseller publishes hundreds of rights deals from across the industry, from the Big Five publishers to small independents. It has also become a tradition for proud authors to post a screenshot and a link to the article on their social media to celebrate the news, a fact that was pointed out in an article in The Times earlier this year.
While every new book is one to be celebrated, strengthening and supporting the publishing industry every day, there were some stand-out hits among The Bookseller readers.
The news team has collated the top 10 most read rights deals from this year. This list perfectly encapsulates what makes books and publishing great, covering everyone from household names, including Jacqueline Wilson and Terry Pratchett, to a staggering 11-way publisher auction for a debut.
Top 10:
Transworld acquires Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld
On 3rd May, it was announced that Transworld had acquired an illustrated title exploring the art of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and the literary partnership between author and artist.
Transworld acquired world rights to Designing Terry Pratchett’s Discworld from Jon Wood at RCW, on behalf of the Terry Pratchett Estate. It was published as a four-colour gift edition hardback on 7th November 2024.
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PMJ spellbound by SenLinYu’s stand-alone dark fantasy
On 5th February, Penguin Michael Joseph (PMJ) acquired Alchemised, billed as “a spellbinding and addictive fantasy novel” by SenLinYu.
Rebecca Hilsdon, editorial director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Suzannah Ball at WME in a two-book deal with the first novel being published in hardback in 2025. North American rights were sold to Emily Archbold at Del Rey.
Keira Knightley writes debut children’s book for Simon & Schuster UK
On 17th October, Simon & Schuster Children’s Books announced the acquisition of A-lister Keira Knightley’s debut children’s book, I Love You Just the Same, which she has both written and illustrated. World rights were acquired by Ali Dougal, publishing director at the Gallery Books imprint, from Robert Kirby and Lindy King at United Agents.
Gallery Kids dubbed it "a spellbinding gift book", inspired by Knightley’s experiences as a parent. It will publish as a "luxurious, high-spec" hardback on 23rd October 2025, supported by blanket PR coverage and partnership activity.
Viking reveals Richard Osman’s new series, We Solve Murders
Viking revealed the much-awaited new Richard Osman book series, We Solve Murders, publishing on 12th September 2024. Since its release, it has been consistently at the top of the Nielsen BookScan charts, so far shifting more than 350,000 copies.
The new series was announced on 20th February and is part of a four-book deal brokered last year, which included two further Thursday Murder Club novels and two in the new series. Viking publisher Harriet Bourton, acquired UK rights from Osman’s agent Juliet Mushens at Mushens Entertainment.
Haruki Murakami’s first novel in six years due in November 2024 from Harvill Secker
Haruki Murakami’s first novel in six years, The City and Its Uncertain Walls, was published by Harvill Secker on 19th November 2024, tipped as “an ode to books and to the libraries that house them”.
Harvill Secker publishing director Liz Foley acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Karolina Sutton at CAA on behalf of Amanda Urban at CAA. The acquisition was announced on 5th March 2024.
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Tor lands two "breathtaking" science fiction novels from Peter F Hamilton
Tor landed two science fiction novels from Peter F Hamilton, on 31st January, beginning with Exodus: The Archimedes Engine.
Publisher Bella Pagan acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights with audio, excluding Canada, from Penguin Random House US. Exodus: The Archimedes Engine, the first in the duology, was published on 19th September 2024.
Fourth Estate clinches 11-way auction for Caro Claire Burke’s "electrifying" debut
Fourth Estate has acquired the debut novel, Yesteryear, from writer and editor Caro Claire Burke in an 11-way auction, it was revealed on 12th June.
Editorial director Katie Bowden secured UK and Commonwealth rights, including book and audio rights, from Emma Finn at C&W on behalf of Lisa Grubka at United Talent Agency, who sold North American rights in what Fourth Estate tipped as "a very competitive auction” to Jennifer Jackson, senior editor at Knopf. Rights have been sold in a further 10 international territories and publication is scheduled for 2026.
Jacqueline Wilson revisits the Girls series in new adult novel with Transworld
Another long-awaited return was announced on 21st March, with Jacqueline Wilson’s new book Think Again. Transworld clinched Wilson’s adult novel, which revisits the characters of Wilson’s Girls series.
Former Bantam publisher Frankie Gray acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Caroline Walsh at David Higham Associates. Deputy publishing director Thorne Ryan took over publication of Think Again, which published as Bantam’s lead debut on 12th September 2024. The Girls novels have also been reissued by their original publisher, Penguin Random House.
Picador lands Patrick Radden Keefe’s "forensic" book on the dark underbelly of London
Picador revealed it had landed Patrick Radden Keefe’s “forensic” book on the dark underbelly of London on 1st March.
Ravi Mirchandani, editor-in-chief, acquired UK and Commonwealth print, digital and audio rights, excluding Canada, to The Oligarch’s Son from Karolina Sutton at CAA, on behalf of Tina Bennett at Bennett Literary. Picador announced publication simultaneously with the US via Bill Thomas at Doubleday and Canada via Amy Black at Doubleday Canada.
The book expands on the Baillie Gifford Prize-winning author’s recent New Yorker piece on the mysterious death of Zac Brettler.
Simon & Schuster UK wins heated four-way auction for two books from debut Emily Cooper
On 16th February, Simon & Schuster UK announced it had won a heated four-way auction for Season of Fear and an untitled novel by debut author Emily Cooper.
Charlotte Trumble, commissioning editor for adult fiction, bought UK and Commonwealth rights in a two-book deal from Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. Season of Fear, a fantasy stand-alone based on Bavarian folklore, will be published in hardback in autumn 2025 on S&S UK’s new SFF list.
