Viper snaps up two-book deal from Valentine in four-way auction

Viper has snapped up a two-book deal from Danielle Valentine in a four-way auction. 

Publishing director Miranda Jewess acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, and audio rights, from Lucy Morris at Curtis Brown UK, on behalf of Hillary Jacobson at CAA. Delicate Condition, the first book in the deal, will be published in August 2023. 

Valentine has previously written YA horror under the name Danielle Vega and the YA novel Burning (Bloomsbury) under the name Danielle Rollins. Delicate Condition marks her adult debut. 

The synopsis reads: "Anna Alcott is desperate to have a family. But as she tries to balance her increasingly public life as an indie actress with a gruelling IVF regime, she starts to suspect that someone is going to great lengths to make sure that never happens. Crucial medicines are lost and appointments get moved without her knowledge. And when she finally does get pregnant, someone breaks into her house and steals the ultrasound photograph of her baby. But despite everything she’s gone through, not even her husband is willing to believe that someone is playing twisted games with her. Then her doctor tells her she’s lost the baby. Despite her grief, Anna ignores the grave-faced men lecturing her about her own body – because she can still feel the baby moving. Miraculously the pregnancy continues, but it takes a terrible toll. As Anna’s symptoms become more horrifying, she can’t help but wonder what exactly she’s pregnant with.”

Jewess said: “Delicate Condition is a book with so many facets. It is a page-turning thriller, a dark horror, a stinging commentary on medical misogyny, and a celebration of female strength and fellowship. Both terrifying and uplifting, it spoke to me on a visceral level. I am hugely pleased that Viper will be publishing this fantastic novel.” 

Valentine added: “As soon as I spoke with Miranda, I knew I wanted to be a Viper author. She immediately understood what I’d tried to achieve with Delicate Condition, and I can’t wait to see what she and her team are able to do with the book. I couldn’t be more excited!”