The Whisper Network finds its voice in slew of big-money deals

Sphere fiction publisher Catherine Burke has pre-empted The Whisper Network in a major deal, just 24 hours after submission, with Flatiron Books’ Christine Kopprasch securing US rights in a big-money pre-empt.

Written by US author Chandler Baker, Burke said the "thrilling read" was rooted in the seemingly ordinary decisions women make every day. "When their sleazy male colleague seems destined to be c.e.o., four women decide enough is enough; whispers become chatter, chatter grows louder, and these women set in motion something that changes their lives dramatically," Burke said.

"Chandler has written a book I am desperate to share." Burke and Rebecca Saunders, head of fiction at Hachette Australia, pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) in a two-book deal through Peggy Boulos Smith of Writers House, on behalf of agent Daniel Lazar.

In addition to the Flatiron deal in the US, sales have been agreed in France (Albin Michel); Holland (Bruna); Israel (Yediot); Italy (Longanesi); Norway (Kagge); Romania (Nemira); and Spain (Penguin Random House), with a number of other auctions ongoing.

The Whisper Network will be published in the UK in June 2019.