Author Archive

Acquisition Announcement: THE PHOENIX KEEPER by S.A. MacLean

S.A. MacLean

Orbit US has acquired the irresistible queer debut romantasy The Phoenix Keeper by ecology professor and debut author S.A. MacLean!

This effervescent standalone is set in a magical zoo of mythical creatures and follows the academic rivals-to-lovers slow burn romance between socially anxious phoenix keeper Aila and hotshot fan-favorite griffin keeper Luciana.

Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy reads like Legends & Lattes and The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy, The Phoenix Keeper is set in a world teeming with all your favorite mythical beasties, from dragons and unicorns to kelpies and krakens. MacLean has drawn on her formidable decade of experience in researching and teaching ecology and environmental science to weave a story of hope, courage, and conservation that is, at its heart, an ode to queer joy.

The Phoenix Keeper will hit shelves in Summer 2024. For more information, check out the press release on The Bookseller website.

Editorial Director Bethan Morgan pre-empted World All Language rights for Gollancz from John Baker at Bell Lomax Moreton, with Priyanka Krishnan, senior editor, acquiring North American rights for Orbit US.

Acquisition Announcement: TONIGHT, I BURN by Katharine J. Adams

Katharine J. Adams (Photo Credit: Tara Lemana)
Photo Credit: Tara Lemana

Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Tonight, I Burn by Katharine J. Adams! In this dark and decadent debut fantasy, a witch with the power to walk between the realms of Life and Death finds herself at the center of a magical rebellion—and a dangerous romance—that could destroy her coven and her soul.

Lush and romantic, witchy and wonderful, it’s perfect for fans of Hannah Whitten and Rachel Gillig. Tonight, I Burn is hitting shelves November 2023 and is sure to become your next autumn obsession!

Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired World English rights from Ernie Chiara at Fuse Literary, with Jenni Hill, Editorial Director at Orbit UK, taking UK rights. Kate Stephenson, Senior Publisher, acquired for Moa Press, Hachette New Zealand’s new imprint, and Jeanmarie Morosin acquired for Hachette Australia.

Learn more about the book below, and join us in welcoming Katharine to the Hachette family! You can find her on Twitter and Instagram: @katharinejadams.

 

Thorns, Tides, Embers, Storms, and Ores. All five covens are bound in servitude to the tyrant High Warden of Halstett.

Penny Albright is a daughter of the thorn coven, forced to patrol the veil between the realms of Life and Death, keeping it safe and whole. Each night, one thorn witch—and only one—must cross the veil by burning at the stake. Each morning, that witch returns with the help of their magical lifeline. Failure to follow the rules of Death risks them all.

 But one morning, Penny’s favorite sister Ella doesn’t return. And that night, determined to find her, Penny breaks the rules. She burns in secret.

 What she finds in Death is a manor that shouldn’t exist, home to the devastating Lord Malin, who shouldn’t be there. Malin offers Penny a dangerous deal: Ella’s freedom in exchange for information about the High Warden. 

 But all isn’t as it seems in Life or Death. Penny’s bargain leads her to Alice, a mysterious captive prophet… and to a rebellion brewing in the shadows of their city. And as Penny’s world splits between her growing love for the ethereal Alice in Life and her attraction to the seductive Malin, in Death, she’ll face a devastating choice.

 Because it’s not just her sister’s life that hangs in the balance. It’s the fate of all magic.

All it takes is one witch—and one spark—to set the world ablaze.

Acquisition Announcement: A FEATHER SO BLACK by Lyra Selene

Lyra Selene

“Excited” does not begin to cover our feelings about Lyra Selene’s stunning adult fantasy debut, A Feather So Black!

This Celtic-inspired Swan Lake retelling is romantic fantasy at its finest. A magical tale of a changeling princess, her cursed sister, and the dangerous fae lord she must defeat to save her family, it’s perfect for readers of Holly Black, Sarah J. Maas, and Hannah Whitten. Once you enter its alluring world—a place where magic winds through the roots of the trees, forest creatures aren’t what they seem, and falling in love can be your undoing—you’ll never want to leave.

A Feather So Black is coming to shelves Spring 2024! Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired World English rights from Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra and Associates. Commissioning Editor Nadia Saward acquired for Orbit UK.

Says author Lyra Selene: “I’m beyond thrilled A Feather So Black has found a home with Orbit! I hope this dark dream of a story captures readers’ imaginations in the same way it captured mine, long ago. I can’t wait to share Fia’s seductive world of perilous magic, moonlit secrets, and forbidden romance with you!”

Adds editor Priyanka Krishnan: “I think Lyra must be part fae herself. She casts a spell with this story, making you forget the world around you as you keep turning pages. This book has everything I love: a complicated heroine, a delicious romance, a nuanced sister relationship, and exquisite atmosphere. You’ll feel you’ve stepped straight into a dark fairy tale, and it will leave you swooning.”

And agent Jessica Watterson: “I was put under a spell from the first gorgeous word of A Feather So Black and I’m thrilled it has found amazing champions at an amazing house. I can’t wait for this book to sweep everyone off their feet!”

A Feather So Black is the first in a planned trilogy. Read more about the book below and follow author Lyra Selene on Instagram @LyraSelene for updates!

 

In a realm without magic, Fia is a rare changeling, swapped for the Princess Eala by the wicked Fair Folk. Eala’s mother, the High Queen, has taken Fia in as an adoptive daughter and trained her as a warrior spy, while the true princess is a prisoner, cursed and bound to the realm of the fae.

When a forgotten gate to the Folk realm is discovered, Fia is tasked by the High Queen to break Eala’s curse and retrieve her. But she doesn’t go alone: with her is prince Rogan, Eala’s betrothed—and the man Fia secretly loves. 

 As the two journey through the gate and into a world where magic runs deep and every step is dangerous, Fia’s mission is complicated by her feelings for the prince… and her unexpected attraction to the dark-hearted fae lord holding Eala captive.

With time running out to break the curse, Fia begins to question everything—the truth of her origins, the reality of her mission, and the “love” of her mother and High Queen. Ultimately, the key to unravelling truth from half-truth and saving the balance between the realms might just be… herself.

  

Lyra Selene was born under a full moon and has never quite managed to wipe the moonlight out of her eyes. She grew up on a steady diet of mythology, folklore, and fantasy, and now writes tall tales of twisted magic, forbidden love, and brooding landscapes. She lives in New England with her husband and daughter, in an antique farmhouse that probably isn’t haunted. She is the author of the young adult duology Amber & Dusk. A Feather So Black is her adult debut.

Acquisition Announcement: TRANSLATION STATE by Ann Leckie

Ann Leckie
Photo Credit: MissionPhoto.org

ANN LECKIE RETURNS!

After winning the trifecta of the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke awards for her groundbreaking debut Ancillary Justice, Ann Leckie has gone on to sell millions of copies worldwide, becoming a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and firmly establishing herself as one of the most lauded, inventive, and powerful voices of modern SFF. As John Scalzi so aptly put it, “There are few who write science fiction like Ann Leckie can. There are few who ever could.”

2023 will mark ten years since Ancillary Justice published and changed the sci-fi landscape. It will also be the year that Leckie’s brand-new novel, Translation State, hits shelves. That’s right! In summer 2023, Ann Leckie returns…

Set in the celebrated world of the Imperial Radch novels, Translation State follows an entirely new cast of characters, masterfully merging space adventure, mystery, and a poignant exploration about relationships and belonging. We cannot wait for current fans and new readers to fall in love with this sensational standalone. And the great news is, it’s available for pre-order now (US)!

Says Leckie: “These are characters I’ve lived with a long time, and it’s been so wonderful to finally put them down on the page. It’s been a pleasure to return to the world of the Imperial Radch, and I’m excited and hopeful that readers will have as much fun with Translation State as I have.”

Orbit US Senior Editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired World English Rights to Translation State and a second standalone novel from Seth Fishman at The Gernert Company. Orbit UK Editorial Director Jenni Hill acquired UK rights.

 

The mystery of a missing translator sets three lives on a collision course that will have a ripple effect across the stars in this powerful new novel by award-winning author Ann Leckie.

Qven was created to be a Presger translator. The pride of their Clade, they always had a clear path before them: learn human ways, and eventually, make a match and serve as an intermediary between the dangerous alien Presger and the human worlds. The realization that they might want something else isn’t “optimal behavior”—it’s the type of behavior that results in elimination.

But Qven rebels. And in doing so, their path collides with that of two others. Enae, a reluctant diplomat whose dead grandmaman has left hir an impossible task as an inheritance: hunting down a fugitive who has been missing for over 200 years. And Reet, an adopted mechanic who is increasingly desperate to learn about his genetic roots—or anything that might explain why he operates so differently from those around him.

As a Conclave of the various species approaches—and the long-standing treaty between the humans and the Presger is on the line—the decisions of all three will have ripple effects across the stars.

Acquisition Announcement: The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

Aparna Verma
Photo: Courtesy of the Author

Ready for your next epic fantasy obsession? Orbit is thrilled to announce the acquisition of The Phoenix King by debut author Aparna Verma! The first in a trilogy blazing with mystic fire, political intrigue, and forbidden romance, The Phoenix King follows an assassin who is more than what he seems and a princess with everything to lose as they contend with a prophecy that could remake the world. Set in a kingdom where ancient sands hold ancient secrets and cities are built by flame and blood, full of characters who struggle to find their power even as the burdens of inheritance and legacy become too much to bear, this series is not to be missed!

The Phoenix King was previously self-published as The Boy with Fire in August 2021. Orbit’s newly revised and edited edition—complete with its new title!—will be coming to shelves in summer 2023. Orbit US senior editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired world English rights from Lucienne Diver at The Knight Agency. Orbit UK editorial director Jenni Hill secured UK rights.

Read on for a few words from author Aparna Verma about what inspired this incredible story:

“When writing The Phoenix King, I drew inspiration from the grand Hindu epics—particularly the stories of the goddess Kali Ma. She has often been misconstrued as a vengeful, bloodthirsty deity by Western storytellers and media. But she is so much more than that. Kali Ma does not fit in the simple boxes of good and evil; in fact, she transcends both. Her multidimensionality inspired the female characters in the book, and the reigning goddess in my story.

I also drew inspiration from my lovely home state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan has a long history as a seat of Indian royalty, including the Rajput kings. Said to be made of earth and fire, the Rajputs were fiercely proud and loyal, a quality that’s shared among the nobility of The Phoenix King—for better and for worse.

But most of all, I found inspiration in the Rajasthani desert. I’ve always felt a deep connection to the desert and all of its mysterious secrets. It’s hard not to be awed by, and afraid of, the power of the sands.

Altogether, The Phoenix King is a homage to my Indian roots, but it is also an examination of faith and fate: the invisible forces that have dictated our gods and ourselves.”

We’re so excited to be publishing The Phoenix King! And while you wait for it to hit the shelves, be sure to follow Aparna on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok for news and updates!

Aparna Verma was born in India and immigrated with her family to the United States when she was two years old. She graduated from Stanford University with Honors in the Arts and a B.A. in English. The Phoenix King is her first novel. When she is not writing, Aparna likes to ride horses, dance to Bollywood music, and find old cafes in which to read myths about forgotten worlds.

Acquisition Announcement: These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs

Bethany Jacobs
Photo: Mary Ganster

A dangerous cat-and-mouse quest for revenge. An empire that spans star systems, built on the bones of a genocide. A carefully hidden secret that could collapse worlds, hunted by three women with secrets of their own. Orbit is over the moon (and among the stars) excited to announce the acquisition of These Burning Stars, Bethany Jacobs’ twisty, explosive space opera debut! The first book in a trilogy that will grab you by the throat and invert your expectations, These Burning Stars is coming to shelves in Summer 2023.

Orbit US senior editor Priyanka Krishnan acquired World English rights from Bridget Smith at JABberwocky Literary Agency. Orbit UK commissioning editor Emily Byron has secured UK rights. Learn more about These Burning Stars below, and follow author Bethany Jacobs on Twitter for further updates: @BethanyGJacobs!

 

 Jun Ironway—hacker, con artist, and occasional thief—has gotten her hands on a piece of contraband that could set her up for life: a video that implicates the powerful Nightfoot family in a planet-wide genocide seventy-five years ago. The Nightfoots control the precious sevite that fuels interplanetary travel through three star systems. And someone is sure to pay handsomely for anything that could break their hold.

Of course, anything valuable is also dangerous. The Kindom, the ruling power of the star systems, is inextricably tied up in the Nightfoots’ monopoly—and they can’t afford to let Jun expose the truth. They task two of their most brutal clerics with hunting her down: preternaturally stoic Chono, and brilliant hothead Esek, who also happens to be the heir to the Nightfoot empire.

But Chono and Esek are haunted in turn by a figure from their shared past, known only as Six. What Six truly wants is anyone’s guess. And the closer they get to finding Jun, the surer Chono is that Six is manipulating them all—and that they are heading for a bloody confrontation that no one will survive unscathed. 

 

Bethany Jacobs is a former college instructor of writing and science fiction, who made the leap to education technology and now teaches tech heads how to write. She lives in Buffalo, New York with her wife and her dog and her books. These Burning Stars is her debut novel.

 

Cover launch: The Stars Undying by Emery Robin

We’re thrilled to reveal the stunning cover for The Stars Undying by Emery Robin, a spectacular space opera debut perfect for readers of Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice and Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire, inspired by the lives and loves of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. Coming November 2022. Pre-order your copy now: US | UK link to come.

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Marc Simonetti

 

Princess Altagracia has lost everything. After a bloody civil war, her twin sister has claimed not just the crown of their planet Szayet but the Pearl of its prophecy, a computer that contains the immortal soul of Szayet’s god. Stripped of her birthright, Gracia flees the planet—just as Matheus Ceirran, Commander of the interstellar Empire of Ceiao, arrives in deadly pursuit with his volatile lieutenant, Anita. When Gracia and Ceirran’s paths collide, Gracia sees an opportunity to win back her planet, her god, and her throne…if she can win the Commander and his right-hand officer over first.

But talking her way into Ceirran’s good graces, and his bed, is only the beginning. Dealing with the most powerful man in the galaxy is almost as dangerous as war, and Gracia is quickly torn between an alliance that fast becomes more than political and the wishes of the god—or machine—that whispers in her ear. For Szayet’s sake, and her own, Gracia will need to become more than a princess with a silver tongue. She will have to become a queen as history has never seen before—even if it breaks an empire.

Cover launch: The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

Can’t get enough of morally grey lesbians in possession of forbidden magic, who will stop at nothing to burn an empire to the ground but who secretly yearn for each other? Then we have a treat for you. Behold the gorgeous cover of THE OLEANDER SWORD, the sequel to Tasha Suri’s epic fantasy stunner THE JASMINE THRONE!

Coming in summer 2022, THE OLEANDER SWORD finds newly-crowned empress Malini and powerful priestess Priya grappling with their choice to remake an empire—and realizing that their love might not withstand the fight. You can add it on Goodreads here! And if you haven’t yet checked out THE JASMINE THRONE—named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2021 and hailed as a novel that will “reshape the landscape of epic fantasy for years to come” (Booklist, starred review)—be sure to do so now (US | UK).

Design by Lauren Panepinto; Illustration by Micah Epstein
~~~

The prophecy of the nameless god—the words that declared her rightful empress of Parijatdvipa—has been Malini’s blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the crown that fate has offered. But even with the rage in her soul and a loyal army by her side, deposing her brother from the throne is going to be a brutal and bloody fight.

The power of the deathless waters flows through Priya’s blood. Thrice born priestess, Elder of Ahiranya, Priya’s dream is to see her country rid of the rot that plagues it: both Parijatdvipa’s poisonous rule, and the blooming sickness that is slowly spreading through all living things. But she doesn’t yet understand the truth of the magic she carries.

Their chosen paths once pulled them apart. But Malini and Priya’s hearts remain as entwined as their destinies. And they soon realize they must come together again if they wish to save their kingdom from those who would rather see it burn—no matter the cost.

Praise for The Jasmine Throne:

“Lush and stunning….Inspired by Indian epics, this sapphic fantasy will rip your heart out.” —BuzzFeed News

“A fierce, heart-wrenching exploration of the value and danger of love in a world of politics and power.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An intimate, complex, magical study of empire and the people caught in its bloody teeth. I loved it.” —Alix E. Harrow, Hugo award-winning author of The Once and Future Witches

Cover Launch: THE CITY OF DUSK by Tara Sim

Life, Death, Light, and Darkness—all converge on the city of dusk…

We are so excited to share with you the stunning cover for The City of Dusk, Tara Sim’s adult fantasy debut—or, as the author puts it (quite perfectly), “the queer goth metal fantasy of her dreams.”

Set in a lush and intricate world of bone and shadow magic, of vengeful gods and defiant chosen ones, we knew this epic story needed an equally epic design. Orbit associate art director Lisa Marie Pompillio and illustrator Ben Zweifel certainly delivered! But don’t take our word for it. Take Tara’s, who says: “The first time I saw this cover, I gasped. From the foreshadowing design elements to the incredible depiction of Nexus, I couldn’t ask for a more perfect way to capture the book’s atmosphere.”

Feast your eyes on the gorgeous cover below, and prepare to enter the city of dusk next March by preordering the book here, and by following Tara Sim on twitter, @EachStarAWorld!

Design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

City illustration by Ben Zweifel

For every realm, there is a god.

For every god, there is an heir.

For every heir, there is a price.

Nexus was once a thriving and vibrant city. But 500 years ago, the gods withdrew their favor, sealing the four realms away from each other. And now, all the realms are dying.

Unwilling to stand by and watch the destruction, the four heirs to the divine power—Angelica, an elementalist with her eyes set on the throne; Risha, a necromancer fighting to keep the peace; Nik, a soldier who struggles to see the light; and Taesia, a shadow-wielding rogue with a reckless heart—will sacrifice everything to save the city.

But their rebellion will cost them dearly.

Cover Launch: THE LAST WISH – ILLUSTRATED EDITION by Andrzej Sapkowski

Fantastic news for  the Witcher fans out there! This December, you’ll get to experience The Last Wish—the story collection that started it all—in a new form: a deluxe hardcover edition featuring seven stunning illustrations by seven award-winning artists.

We’ll be revealing the full artist roster soon, but today, our spotlight is on the incredible cover! ICYMI when it was revealed by Netflix during WitcherCon, here’s our favorite monster hunter as imagined by artist Tommy Arnold:

Cover art by Tommy Arnold, @tommyarnoldart. Design and art direction by Lauren Panepinto.

We asked Tommy why he chose this portrayal of Geralt for the cover, and here’s what he had to say: “Geralt is, in some ways, defined by his separation from humanity. There’s a loneliness to him. But like all consummate professionals, he’s most at home in his work. The peace he finds from existential questions in simply fighting monsters, the calm at the center of the storm—that’s what we were after here.”

This special edition is being designed by Orbit’s fabulous creative director, Lauren Panepinto, who adds, “One of the best things about working on The Witcher is the wealth of great scenes and characters—both human and mythological—that beg to be depicted. It has been very enjoyable for me to design this deluxe edition of The Last Wish around so many great artists who are also fans. There is a different artist for each of the seven stories (and maybe a bonus here and there), and each has a unique take on the characters within. The overall red and black palette will unify these diverse illustrations into a design-forward take on Sapkowski’s world. It’s been a joy to work with such a great team on such a fun project. Witcher fans are going to love seeing so many fresh views of these stories.”

The book is available for pre-order in the US and UK, so go ahead and toss a coin to your favorite bookstore!