Zephyr pre-empts debut from Aardman's Hawkins

Head of Zeus imprint Zephyr has pre-empted the debut novel from Aardman Animations creative director Finbar Hawkins in a two-book deal.

Publisher Fiona Kennedy acquired world rights from Catherine Pellegrino at Marjacq. Debut Witch will be published simultaneously in hardback, e-book and audiobook in October 2020, with a second untitled novel to follow.

The synopsis explains: “Witch is a powerful story of revenge and self-discovery. Set in the turbulent times of the seventeenth century, where witches are pawns in a war to oust the king and establish a new order, Evey witnesses the murder of her mother by a gang of witch-hunters. Her fury burning bright and strong, she vows to hunt down the killers and avenge her mother’s death.”

Kennedy added: “Witch is one of those rare stories that makes you gasp – utterly breathtaking – and written with remarkable skill and compassion. It’s full of beauty and cruelty and I honestly couldn’t put it down, and can’t stop thinking about it. Finbar and his novel, Witch, are going to win hearts and minds. I’m certain of that. We are all completely thrilled to welcome him and to be able to publish him at Zephyr.”

Hawkins added: “Fiona and her team have so warmly embraced my book, and I can’t wait to introduce Evey to the world with publication by Zephyr - the perfect home for Witch. I’m over the full moon.”

Pellegrino commented: “I was completely blown away when I first read Witch and discovered Finbar’s lyrical and urgent prose, the beautiful and violent world he draws us into and met his protagonist Evey, a young woman who rages against injustice and whose side you never want to leave. I am thrilled by Fiona’s passion for Witch and delighted that Finbar is joining such a creative and dynamic team at Zephyr.”