Shots were delighted to receive the press release below from HarperFiction!
HarperFiction announces the latest pairing in the Austen series: Val McDermid & Northanger Abbey
Val
McDermid is to write a contemporary re-working of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey
– the latest author to be confirmed in this major series.
Louisa
Joyner and Julia Wisdom have acquired World All Language rights from Jane
Gregory in Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid as part of a series of six novels
teaming up authors of global literary significance with Jane Austen’s six
complete works. This, the latest book in the series, is planned for publication
in Spring 2014.
Louisa Joyner, Editorial Director, said: ‘There
is so much scope for reinvention in this often misunderstood novel and the idea
of Val McDermid breathing life into it by bringing her literary expertise as the pre-eminent crime writer to
re-ignite the novel’s fear factor is incredibly exciting. Our stated aim is to create a series where each novel is a publishing
event in its own right, and Val McDermid firmly establishes these partnerships
as a literary force to be reckoned with.’
Julia
Wisdom, Publisher, Crime & Thriller, said: ‘What bliss – a novel
that brings together two of my all-time favourite authors, Jane Austen and Val
McDermid. It’s a mouth-watering prospect, not least because we can
expect the unexpected from Val, a genius at creating suspense, a plotter par
excellence and a crime writer whose creative imagination and versatility are
second to none. I have no doubt that Northanger Abbey as re-imagined by Val McDermid is going to be
wonderful, and we are all thrilled to be publishing it.’
Val McDermid’s comment: 'I was surprised and delighted to be asked to come up with a
contemporary take on Northanger Abbey.
Well, actually, I was gobsmacked, but that's obviously not the sort of
word you'd find in the pages of Jane Austen. I've always enjoyed
Austen's work, not least because it still feels relevant to our lives, and Northanger Abbey offers tantalizing possibilities to a modern writer. It's lively,
satirical and holds out the opportunity for a genuine frisson of
fear. I've always enjoyed challenging myself in my writing, and this will
definitely make demands on my imagination and my craft. I can't wait
to get started.'
HarperFiction publishes Joanna Trollope’s Sense
& Sensibility in Autumn 2013 to
launch the series. Curtis Sittenfeld’s Pride
& Prejudice will be published in Autumn 2014. Conversations are ongoing
as to the other literary pairings and further announcements will follow.
For more
information please contact Liz Dawson on Elizabeth.dawson@harpercollins.co.uk / 0208 307 4412
No comments:
Post a Comment