Transworld wins 10-way auction for doctor Heba Al-Wasity’s gothic debut

Transworld has triumphed in a 10-publisher auction for Heba Al-Wasity’s Weavingshaw, an “astonishing” gothic fantasy debut, in a major six-figure deal for three books. 

Commissioning editor Lara Stevenson acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Chloe Seager at the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. Weavingshaw, the first book in the trilogy, will be published in spring 2026.

North American rights sold to Anne Groell at Del Rey (PRH US) in a pre-empt for three books. Elsewhere rights have also sold in Germany in a major six-figure deal (Ullstein), Brazil (Globo, pre-empt) and Hungary (Maxim, pre-empt). There are auctions ongoing in further territories.

“Steeped in magic and dripping with gothic atmosphere, Weavingshaw is a sumptuous debut that’s perfect for fans of The Binding and Belladonna with shades of One Dark Window and Ninth House,” Transworld said.  

The novel follows Leena, a young woman with a dark secret: she can see the dead. When her brother falls ill and she cannot afford the medicine to save him, she must trade her secret with the Saint of Silence. Unknown to her, he is hunting for the ghost of a nobleman and she must help him with this quest. As Leena grows closer to the Saint, she is plunged further into his world of danger, deceit and desire.

Al-Wasity is now based in Manchester but was inspired by experiences of being born an Iraqi refugee in Libya, growing up in Canada and attending medical school in the UK. As a junior doctor, she has worked in emergency care and several psychiatric inpatient units, allowing her to gain first-hand insight in the ways that poverty and deprivation can lead to social inequalities.

She said: “I am thrilled to be working with Lara and Anne to bring Weavingshaw to life. This is a story that comes from my own lived experience as both a doctor and an immigrant raised between two cultures and raised between two cultures. Weavingshaw was written in the hopes that it will reach those whose story is yet untold.”  

Seager said: “It’s not often that you find a story that delivers a pitch-perfect, angst-ridden slowburn romance, phenomenal world-building and expert plotting, and skilfully weaves themes of social inequality and displacement. Heba Al-Wasity’s debut is truly one of a kind, like she is.  

“The global response to this book has been mind-blowing – it feels like from the moment we sent it out, we’ve been besieged with passionate pre-empts and auctions – and I can’t wait for readers to meet their new obsession in 2026.” 

Stevenson said: “From the very first line, I was completely captivated by this astonishing debut. Heba’s singular voice combined with the deliciously dark world building, compelling characters and slow burn romantic tension creates pure magic on the page. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Heba to Transworld and can’t wait for readers to discover this gloriously gothic masterpiece.”