Welbeck swoops for North's Little Wing in six-figure deal

Welbeck has signed a “significant” six-figure deal for “profoundly moving” new novel Little Wing and one other book by Freya North.

Jon Elek bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Jonathan Lloyd at Curtis Brown. Welbeck will publish Little Wing in hardback in January 2022.

The publisher explained: “Little Wing is the powerful story of two families over three generations.  In the 1960s, a pregnant 16-year-old is banished to one of the remotest parts of the UK. Years later, Nell and Dougie are both at critical moments in their lives when their paths cross.  Between Camden, Colchester and the Outer Hebrides the three story lines collide when secrets are uncovered and answers sought.  Little Wing is a novel about resilience, forgiveness and the true meaning of family, about finding one’s place in the world and discovering how we all belong somewhere and to someone.”

Elek said: “Little Wing is a profoundly moving book, an uplifting and compelling love story with an incredible sense of place. We can’t wait to introduce the novel to Freya’s existing fans, and many new ones as well. 

North is the author of 15 books, including 1996 debut Sally, 2008 Romantic Novel of the Year Award-winner Pillow Talk and, most recently, 2015's The Turning Point, all published by HarperCollins. She is also the founder of the Hertford Children’s Book Festival.

She said: “I’m extremely excited to be part of the Welbeck family. Little Wing was a very special novel to research and write and I truly believe it’s my strongest book yet.

Lloyd commented: “It is 25 years this November since the publication of Freya’s first bestselling novel Sally. It is such a joy to see in Little Wing – her 15th novel—that her special storytelling gift has grown into such maturity. I am delighted to have moved another client to Welbeck.”