‘s PHILLIPA FLYNN’S YEAR OF PANIC AND PIRACY, in which an introverted history professor impulsively quits her job and teams up with a book cover model to revive her grandmother’s bestselling pirate romance series, to Emily Freidenrich at Lake Union Publishing, for publication in summer 2026, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency (world). Rights: om******@****on.com
Meet BEAR’S FRIEND in fall 2027
Author-illustrator ‘s BEAR’S FRIEND, following a bear who proudly introduces his new friend—a rock—to the forest animals, only to face doubt when the others don’t understand their bond; about friendship, self-acceptance, and staying true to the ones we love, to Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop, for publication in fall 2027, by Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency (world).
Fall 2025, find out if THE WIFE DESERVED IT
‘s THE WIFE DESERVED IT, a novella set on the night a husband decides to kill his estranged wife, not knowing she’s ready for him with plans of her own, to May Chen at William Morrow Impulse, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal, for publication in fall 2025, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency (world). Rights: Film/TV: Katrina Escudero at Sugar23
Discover the TANGLED TALES OF AN UNDERGROUND MARKET in fall 2027
Michelle Lee at Dial has bought world rights to Tangled Tales of an Underground Market by Laura K. Zimmermann (l.), illustrated by Priscilla Tey. This nonfiction STEAM picture book explores the bustling market below the forest floor where plants, animals, and other creatures barter, lurk, protect, help, and more. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
CROWNED BY THE STARS in summer 2026
‘s CROWNED BY THE STARS, about a dutiful princess who journeys across her galaxy—aided by a handsome rogue space pilot—in order to secure a marriage alliance, but along the way learns that not everything she’s been told is true, forcing her to choose between what’s best for her people and best for her, to Sareer Khader at Ace, in a two-book deal, for publication in summer 2026, by Rebecca Matte at Bradford Literary Agency (world).
BLAME THE WIFE in Winter 2027
Author of the forthcoming SUCH A CLEVER GIRL ‘s BLAME THE WIFE, set at a wealthy family’s gathering on the 10th anniversary of the father’s murder, where the mother issues a challenge that could lead to more killing—or so she hopes, to May Chen at William Morrow, in a good deal, in a two-book deal, for publication in winter 2027, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency (world). Film/TV: Katrina Escudero at Sugar23
Audio for OF CROWS & THORNS Saga
Ava Larksen’s OF CROWS & THORNS SAGA, in which a wild-hearted princess, trapped in a blood bargain with a ruthless enforcer with a bond that burns hatred into something far more treacherous, discovers a monstrous secret that threatens not only her magic, but her life and the heart that she never meant to give, to Andy Dodds at Podium Audio, in a nice deal, in a three-book deal, by Hannah Andrade at Bradford Literary Agency (world English).
MARRIED WITH BENEFITS in summer 2026
Author of FOUR WEEKENDS AND A FUNERAL and the forthcoming ANYWHERE WITH YOU Ellie Palmer’s MARRIED WITH BENEFITS, an opposites-attract, small town rom-com in which a scrappy Jane-of-all-trades with chronic migraines goes head-to-head with the handsome new-to-town owner of a decrepit lakeside resort, until she discovers she’s accidentally squatted her way into owning his most valuable piece of property and he makes her an offer she can’t refuse: marry him for top-notch health coverage in exchange for the deed, to Kate Dresser at Putnam, for publication in summer 2026, by Laura Bradford at Bradford Literary Agency (world English).
Rights also to Michael Joseph (UK).
SMALL NORMAN is growing… all the way until spring 2027!
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has acquired world rights to SMALL NORMAN by Lisa Bentley (The Dreams We Made; I Am Not Your Hat), a picture book about a girl and her pet lizard, which grows so fast and so big that he’s hardly recognizable when he gets out one day, causing her to rethink the idea of responsible pet ownership. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency sold world rights.
Fall 2027, WHEN LESS IS MORE!
Lili Rosenstreich at Kalaniot Books has acquired WHEN LESS IS MORE by Rebecca Gardyn Levington (Afikoman, Where’d You Go?), illustrated by Niyati Froind. Grounded in the Jewish value of tikkun olam, this rhyming picture book reminds readers that sometimes doing less—less blaming, less littering, less holding on to what we no longer need—can infuse more kindness, beauty, and empathy into our own lives and the lives of everyone around us. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
SPLISH makes a splash in fall 2026
Millie von Platen at Astra Books for Young Readers has bought world rights to author-illustrator DK Ryland’s SPLISH. Splish is a ready-for-whatever-the-day-brings kind of fish, but when the day brings one disaster after another, Splish shows what she’s really made of. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency negotiated the deal.