Tor pre-empts Cameron Sullivan's debut fantasy

Tor has pre-empted The Red Winter along with another untitled fantasy book from “once-in-a-decade talent” Cameron Sullivan.

Editorial director Sophie Robinson acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in a joint pre-empt with Ali Fisher at Forge Books in the US, from Christabel McKinley at David Higham Associates. Australian and New Zealand rights were acquired by Claire Craig at Pan Macmillan Australia, and Andy Hahnemann acquired German-language rights for Fischer Tor. 

Tor UK will publish The Red Winter on 12th August 2025 simultaneously with Pan Macmillan US, Australia and Fischer Tor. It will be Sullivan’s debut novel. 

The Red Winter is a historical fantasy drawing on The Beast of Gévaudan, a werewolf origin story about a small mountain village in 18th-century France that was terrorised by a mysterious creature. “Written as a memoir by the immortal narrator Sebastian, it’s full of sorcery, demons and debauchery, but most of all it’s a love story about one man who will live for ever and the nobleman he fell in love with, but may have made into a monster,” Tor said. 

Sullivan said: “Its characters and their exploits have lived in my head and heart for a few years now and I can’t imagine a better home for them. I’m incredibly excited that we’ll also get to give them life again in a whole new story beyond The Red Winter.”

Robinson commented: “Cameron is an exceptionally talented writer. I couldn’t believe that The Red Winter was a debut when I read it. Full of folklore and original worldbuilding, it’s bloody, lusty, but also a tender love story. Plus, Sebastian is one of the most irresistibly charming monster-hunting narrators I’ve ever come across and I know readers around the world will think so too.”

McKinley added: “From the first few pages of The Red Winter, I knew this was going to be an exceptional piece of writing. I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that Cam is a once-in-a-decade talent, and The Red Winter is certain to be a future classic. Its epic scope, its wry humour and the fiercely beating heart at its centre will without doubt make an impact on all who read it – and then, ravenously, devour it again.” 

Sullivan was born in Perth, Western Australia. After several years working and studying in Italy and the UK, he returned to Australia and settled in Melbourne, and now works as a copywriter.