Wildfire signs 'gripping' novella from Miye Lee, translated by Sandy Joosun Lee

Wildfire has signed Miye Lee’s Break Room, a novella originally published in South Korea in June 2024 and translated into English by Sandy Joosun Lee.

Senior commissioning editor Areen Ali acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, including audiobook, from Li Kangqin at New River Literary on behalf of Danny Hong Agency and the Korea publisher O’Fan House. Translator Lee is represented by Safae El-Ouahabi at RCW Literary Agency.

Break Room is a "gripping and incisive psychological drama set against the backdrop of a seven-day reality show where five strangers discover that they have been selected as ’break room villains’ from their respective workplaces". A game begins and the players must figure out who among them might not be who they say they are. Joosun Lee said that the "novel challenges, entertains and lingers in the mind—a testament to Miye Lee’s incredible talent for crafting yet another story unlike anything seen before". 

Headline has previously published Lee’s DallerGut Dream Store duology, the first of which, The DallerGut Dream Department Store, was selected as the Waterstones Science Fiction & Fantasy Book of the Month August 2024. Of Break Room, Lee said: "This story is short and fast-paced, designed to be read in the span of a single teatime hour. Like a strong Assam tea, it captures the astringent and bittersweet essence of human nature, served lightly and humorously in a delicate teacup. 

"As a nation renowned for its love of tea, I’m curious to see how Break Room  resonates with British readers and what kind of ’blend’ emerges from this meeting of story and culture. I hope you take a leisurely moment to savour the diverse cast of characters and the fascinating stories they weave together."

Ali added: "I jumped at the chance to publish yet another thrilling story crafted by Miye’s brilliant mind. This novel allows her to flex her skills beyond the cosy healing fiction genre and delivers a witty workplace satire that feels truly original. I can’t wait to introduce readers to this new world that Miye has created."