Writer's Grove

Atticus in the UK

Hi, everybody! Here’s a press release from Anne Clarke, my new spiffy editor in the UK!

Press release – Orbit acquires IRON DRUID trilogy by Kevin Hearne

Little Brown’s SF and Fantasy imprint Orbit has acquired an imaginative, witty and action-packed new urban fantasy trilogy which is currently storming the bookstores in the US. Orbit UK Editorial Director Anne Clarke has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in the first three books in Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series from Evan Goldfield at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

The trilogy, set in Tempe, Arizona, introduces us to Atticus O’Sullivan, rare book salesman, herb peddler, and 2,000 year old druid – the last of his kind – who has been on the run for over two millennia from a very angry ancient Celtic god. The books are set in the modern day world, where gods, myths, and magic are very much alive.  The first book, HOUNDED, primarily features the many Celtic gods; HEXED will focus on Coyote and the Bacchants; HAMMERED will be about a plot against Thor. (Everybody hates Thor.)

Kevin Hearne says: “I’m thrilled to be with Orbit UK and hope people will enjoy this blend of history and legend dropped into the modern world. The rich mythology of the Irish is endlessly fascinating to me, and an allusion to British lore in Hounded will eventually become important later in the series as Atticus finds himself in trouble near Windsor Castle.”

Anne Clarke says: “I first read the manuscript for HOUNDED in 2009 but it was before I moved to Orbit, and although I loved the story, I couldn’t see a way to make it work on my list back then (I was mainly publishing crime thrillers). When I heard the Iron Druid was still looking for a UK home I couldn’t believe my luck, and I’m delighted to be bringing Atticus to the UK after all. And since we’re publishing these books this September, October and November, I don’t have long to wait to share them with everyone else here too. You’re in for a treat!”

…Be assured that my happy dancing is unchained. Several people in the UK have contacted me, asking when the eBook version of my series would be available for download in the UK, and now I can answer—this autumn! I’m very grateful to Anne for giving the new guy in the US a chance.

Stay tuned for another announcement on Monday. :)