Agents! I'm keen to grow my network, and especially keen to connect with those that specialise in SFF and horror! Below are the recent reads that I've been enjoying to give you a sense of my taste. π»βοΈπ
And new agents/agents that are early in their career, please do say hi!
It has truly been an honour to work on this reissue, and
@WeisMargaret
and
@trhickman
are so brilliant.
Celebrating a true classic, the gateway into fantasy for so many readers. I cannot wait to see this new cover out in the wild. And the foreword and new intro ... EPIC! βοΈβ¨
To celebrate 40 years since The Dragonlance Chronicles first published, weβre releasing this stunning new edition, with a foreword from actor and Dragonlance mega fan
@JoeManganiello
!
Immerse yourself in the world of DnD with this classic fantasy epic! Pre-order now!
Currently, I have the privilege to be in a two week work experience with
@MichaelJBooks
and the team behind the books are the kindest people I've had the pleasure to meet. They really care.
Feast your wicked eyes upon this beauty, in all her gory glory. Heads Will Roll by
@JoshWinning
, a trope-tastic, slasher horror in time for
#summerween
and
#slashersummer
Horror lovers, this needs to be on your shelves! π€π»πͺ
Authors, colleagues, agents, I will always strive to be a safe space for anyone who is neurodiverse. As a ND girly myself, it is SO important.
This is a really interesting read β€οΈ
So SO excited to be working on such a brilliantly delicious story set in the most magical setting! It's beautiful, mysterious, whimsical and SAPPHIC πβ¨π
My Grandma passed away early this morning. We had a strong bond and she was a woman of great adventure. Because I'm adopted, I have been blessed with four very resilient women as grandmothers, she was the last to leave. And, I was there until the end, as promised ποΈπ
I've been taking a break from words and swapped them for mountains and the northern coast. Road tripping across the NC500.
It has been much needed π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ ΏπποΈ
Life update: after nearly 10 years together, Ross asked me to marry him in front of an illuminated Niagara Falls just before a beautiful firework display. I 1000000% said yes! ππ¦ π€π
I am over the moon to be working on such a glorious reissue. These books have been a staple, and a gateway, to so many fantasy readers for 40 years. Let's celebrate! π²βοΈβ¨
P.s. wait until you see the cover!!! One word ... Gold π
Penguin Michael Joseph (
@MichaelJBooks
) is reissuing an omnibus of the Dungeons and Dragons novelisations, The Dragonlance Chronicles, featuring a new introduction by authors Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman π
Had to pop into
@Bluewaterstones
to make sure my local had our wonderful
@Frances_Writes
on the shelf and low and behold! Met three fantasy fans who wanted a recommendation and I handed them VOTD and they were like "I've heard so much about this!!!" ... Dee is a celebrity!!! π
August is closing and I'm feeling π»spookyπ»
My personal TBR (and because I work in publishing it's both neglected and TALL), my list of movies, and paranormal YouTube vids are all preparing to come out and play!
I absolutely had a blast getting to meet everyone at
@WaterstonesPicc
for
#BookFest
. Celebrating our wonderful Monica Murphy, and all of our talented authors. What a day! Thank you to everyone who geeked out with us about BOOKS! ππ
Incredibly excited about this. Not only has Del conjured up a southern gothic story that leaves you haunted but it explores the unquestionable horror of America's history with racism. I read this within a day! π€π π»
Jemma, a young black woman leaves the ghosts of Chicago behind her for the sticky heat of Louisiana
Joining the mysterious Duchon family, Jemma quickly discovers they hold a dark truth of their own . . .
#ThisCursedHouse
by
@DelSandeen
, now on NetGalley:
LOOK AT IT, IT'S BEAUTIFUL. This book is just to die for, it's iconic, and I have been in love with it since I read the first page. Go Frances!!!! β¨βοΈπ
Here it is! I am SO excited to reveal the gorgeous cover for my debut novel, Voyage of the Damned, a fantasy murder mystery.
@MichaelJBooks
did such an amazing job on this. The BLUE, the GOLD, the sparkles, the fish, the ship! I hope you all love it as much as I do! πππβ¨βοΈ
Woooooah thank you so much everybody who has put HEADS WILL ROLL in their ears over the past few daysβit's
#1
in the LGBTQ+ Horror Fiction section, and in VERY fine company. π»π»π»
So excited to announce that Voyage of the Damned is being published in North America by Mira!
So many of you have been asking and now I can say YES YOU TOO CAN GRAB A TICKET TO THE MAGICAL GAY MURDER CRUISE!
Setting sail in fall this year!
A few members of the
@MichaelJBooks
fantasy team went dancing and spooking for our incredible
#ThePlatedPrisonerseries
by Raven Kennedy at Mystic Fate Events last night. And boy, did we have fun! Take us back πβοΈππ
Thinking back to when I was devouring pancakes and reading BEAUTIFUL proofs in Edinburgh π
Bridge by Lauren Beukes is absolutely phenomenal, I had to read it a second time!
It's publication day for WHISPERS MOST FOUL. A delicious dark academia book with a ghostly sapphic romance, academic rivals to lovers, snoring books, and enchanted classrooms. Do. Not. Miss. It. ππ§Ήπβπ
Just absolutely adoring funny, twisty, slightly filthy VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED from
@Frances_Writes
. Strong GIDEON THE NINTH vibes with 12 blessed/cursed heirs on a boat, plus murder, with an irresistible narrator. Watch for it in January 2024, folks!
My boyfriend, yes the one who doesn't read very often at all, stayed up to the early hours of the morning to finish a book I have been telling him to read for a while now... I feel a great sense of victory here
.
@MichaelJBooks
has signed a dark academia duology from Catelyn Wilson, with the first book All The Devils - "an atmospheric novel that beautifully explores the relationship and love between two sisters" - set to be published in September 2024
Read here
Watching 28 days haunted on Netflix and I'm DYING, this is like Big Brother but with ghosts. Day one and they're putting ma'am in a coffin and trying to trigger spirits, and a ghost fully exposed a psychic as fake π€£
Today was a good day for a team bake off! We celebrated the up and coming MRS QUINN'S RISE TO FAME by the delightful Olivia Ford. Cake and books?! Perfection.
I made a vegan sticky toffee pudding π«π
Slasher horror? Check. Murderous summer camp trip? Check. Incredible fun soaked in lots of blood? Check. Slay cover? Check.
Everything you love about horror films has been folded into the pages of the bloody slasher of the summer. Pre-order now! π»πͺβΊπ₯
Willow checks into a digital detox camp where she hears the tale 'Knock Knock Nancy'; a grizzly story about a vengeful ghost
But Willow doesn't believe in ghosts. . . until, she hears it: Knock. Knock. Knock.
#HeadsWillRoll
by
@JoshWinning
, preorder now:
I have just made a whole spooky pirate costume for a hen party from my own clothes, from scratch, and it's probably one of my best costumes. If that doesn't scream "I'm ready for Halloween all the time" I don't know what does ... π»β οΈ
I canβt think of a better way to spend the UK launch day of HEADS WILL ROLLπͺ than dropping in to say hi to the horror bookseller at
@WaterstonesGla
. Huge thanks to Luna for championing horror in your store π€π€π€
YALC READY β’ come and say hi to team MJ fantasy at YALC this weekend. If you sign up to the Siren Book Club newsletter, you can spin for a chance to win some brill proofs (hint: you are guaranteed a proof) ππππ»
Itβs debut day!! Voyage of the Damned comes out TODAY, and Iβm still pinching myself.
It took me 7 long years in the trenches and 5 books but I canβt believe the day has come where I can walk into a shop and see my novel on a shelf (PLEASE tag me if you spot it in the wild!)
Incredibly deserved and so proud of this book and Frances! Team Damned are incredibly chuffed. Listening to the audio on the way home from Wales and you guys NEED TO DOWNLOAD!!!!! πͺπ
Voyage of the Damned is a Sunday Times Bestseller!
You all have embraced this weird little cross-genre book about a queer, plus-sized, human disaster hero with a heart of gold and LOOK WHAT WEβVE GONE AND DONE.
Wild. Amazing. I have no words apart from THANK YOU. π₯Ήππ
How incredible is this?! Over 10,000 readers have hopped aboard the magical gay murder cruise in the U.K. alone. I think weβre gonna need a bigger boat!
Currently, I have the privilege to be in a two week work experience with
@MichaelJBooks
and the team behind the books are the kindest people I've had the pleasure to meet. They really care.
But enough from me! If you want the publishing scoop, ask an assistant π shout out to our unstoppable team of assistants and assistant editors, some of whom have let us use their words!
@mmwoodfield
@kalliereads
@HanifasCorner
@jorgiereads
Thrilled with the 1st blurb for
@Frances_Writes
' debut, from
@Blind_Nycteris
: βIΒ burned through this... AbsolutelyΒ bloody brilliant! Voyage of the Damned isΒ clever and comedic, while alsoΒ heartfelt and harrowing. I hope readers will come to enjoy Dee's escapades as much as I didβ
One womanβs ghosts and a familyβs curse await in the heart of the Louisiana heat . . .
'Couldn't put it down, read the whole book in 24 hours' βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
#ThisCursedHouse
by
@DelSandeen
is the Southern Gothic tale perfect for
#Summerween
, preorder now:
Fantasy editorial team outing, topping up on our love and appreciation for all things fantastical. Currently desperate to adorn the walls with the map of fairyland. Go visit the exhibition at The British Library asap! βοΈπ§ββοΈπ
You can take the girl from
@MichaelJBooks
but you can't take Michael Joseph away from the girl. Checked out my cruise ship's library (obviously) and was greeted by a familiar face.
This is the reason I am where I am today. I did 2 weeks of work experience with
@MichaelJBooks
and a week after it ended, I was asked to come back as a temporary assistant. A few months later, I was permanent! ππ
Apply, apply, apply!
Our randomly-selected work experience is your opportunity to go behind the scenes of the UKβs biggest book publisher. ποΈ
Applications are open until the 28th of June for our paid July-September cohort >>>
Viewing our first apartment tomorrow and keeping our fingers crossed. Over 6 months ago I was in such a bad place and now I'm possibly buying property with my partner!
And yes, I've made sure there is plenty of room for books.
I just want to say thank you all SO MUCH for all the love on the cover reveal for Voyage of the Damned. Iβm overwhelmed honestly. ππ
Hereβs a bit more information for what you can expect from the book! (Which you can now pre-order! Saying that is still π€―π€―)
I think itβs time for some positivity so hereβs something Iβm SO excited about!
The audiobook for Voyage of the Damned is going to be narrated by the one the only
@nathan_foad
π (OFMD fans scream with me!)
I just knew Nathan would be PERFECT to bring Dee to life! ππ
Trying to get back into painting, practising with some happy things before I start to depict nothing but female rage and ghoulish fun within these canvases
A NetGalley reviewer said it "flows like haunted molasses" and I've been obsessed with that description ever since.
Such a read. I can't wait for you all to enjoy it π»π
βDonβt look at βem Jemma. Ainβt nothing but the devilβs workβ
But ghosts arenβt all you have to fear in the Duchon manor . . .
#ThisCursedHouse
by
@DelSandeen
, preorder now:
Introducing the all-new hardback edition of the greatest teenage diaries every written: THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13 3/4 ποΈπ
Get your hands on the secret diary that made a nation laugh at
@Waterstones
this October:
I SAID I would bigolas dickolas my friends' excellent books or die trying and I MEANT IT. Anyway, just learned that multiple people mentioned this absolutely unhinged review to the author at an event π
I've heard too many good things about this book and I'm getting FOMO. Diving in!! ππ»πΉ
(Plz ignore my chipped nail varnish, it is one of those months!)
The cover of Voyage of the Damned was designed by
@ninaelstad
and she hit it out of the park so hard that there was NOTHING to change from the first draft. I just adore the symbolism, the way the fish fins become waves and the fact she managed to make a fish look so cool π β€οΈ
Throwback to 6 months ago when I decided to make my grand entrance on my first day of being an Editorial Assistant by tearing two ligaments and being shipped off to the hospital. Still can't wear any shoe with a heel!!
HAPPY NEURODIVERSITY WEEK! I think it's a bit like having a super power and in the last 10 months I have felt so empowered in myself. It doesn't come without struggles but 'a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor'. Celebrate your neurodiverse colleagues this week! π·π¦
Generally, I complain quite a bit about having to walk such an awkward walk to the station. However, today I was reminded why I shouldn't be such a grumpy gal. Behold, a field of blue flax flowers (at least, I think it's that) ...
@YoDanno
@WeisMargaret
@trhickman
Doesn't it?! Truly an iconic cover, which it totally deserves. Can't wait for readers old and new to get their hands on it!π²π²
Beyond excited that my Greek mythology inspired epic fantasy trilogy is being published by
@MichaelJBooks
ππ§π
Huge thanks to my incredible agents
@DGALitAgents
& wonderful editor
@rebecca_hilsdon
for championing Danaeβs story.
Just started Bitterthorn after craving gothic sapphic tales and WHY DID NO ONE HOLD A FIST TO MY FACE AND FORCE ME TO READ THIS? It's amazing. You're all being held accountable for not making me read this sooner ...
Saw a guy writing a novel in a small weathered notebook on the train. His pen ran out so I quickly asked him if he wanted to use my pen. I'd be damned if I let a writer be obstructed from writing!
Are you creative, organised and unflappable?
We're looking for a new Marketing Executive to join our team at Michael Joseph!
For more information on the role, please visit
π¨ PUBLISHING NEWS π¨
It is with incredible gratitude and excitement that I share with you all that FIRSTBORN OF THE SUN is going to be published by
@MichaelJBooks
in fall 2025.
My heart is so full and I'm so grateful for my super champions
@keslupo
@rebecca_hilsdon
π₯ΊβοΈπ§‘π§‘π§‘