Transworld pre-empts ‘thrilling’ début novel by Brown amid global clamour for rights

Transworld has pre-empted a “thrilling” real-world fantasy by début novelist Gareth Brown. 

Simon Taylor, editorial director, bought UK and Commonwealth rights to The Book of Doors and a second novel from Harry Illingworth at D H H Literary Agency in “a major deal”, fighting off other significant pre-empt attempts and offers. Bantam will publish in hardback, e-book and audio in the UK in early 2024. 

Multiple international deals swiftly followed, including pre-empts in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, while North American rights were acquired by David Pomerico for William Morrow through Helen Edwards of Helen Edwards Rights Agency in another significant deal. Rights have also been sold in Spain and Hungary.   

The Book of Doors is simply described as “a book about books. But not just any books. A book about magical books…” 

Taylor said: “Hyperbole comes easily to us editors – well, to me anyway – but I really was totally bowled over by The Book of Doors. I was barely a couple of pages in when the hairs on the back of my neck began their tell-tale prickling! Here was a novel that pushed all the right creative and commercial buttons: a simple but imagination-grabbing conceit, brilliantly conceived, believable characters to root for, to wonder at and, in a handful of cases, to fear utterly – and a thrilling story that impels the reader to keep turning the pages. But what clinched things was the universal enthusiasm around the Transworld acquisitions table: we knew we had to publish this extraordinary novel and its supremely accomplished author and we’re thrilled that Gareth chose to go with us. We’re all going to have a lot of fun publishing The Book of Doors.” 

Brown added: “I was completely blown away by the level of interest in The Book of Doors from publishers, not only in the UK, but in the US and around the world. It was beyond my wildest dreams. The novel is about magic books, adventure and escapism, and maybe that’s something people really need right now. I am incredibly excited to be working with Simon and everyone at Transworld. They have published so many other great authors and books that I admire, I feel very blessed to be part of the Transworld family and I can’t wait to share The Book of Doors with the world in 2024.”