We’re thrilled to announce that Avon Books have signed a two-book deal with Bath Novel Award 2017 winner Sophie Draper. Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks acquired World English Language rights to Cuckoo and one further book from Laura Williams at Peter, Fraser and Dunlop Literary Agents. Sophie’s Derbyshire-set debut is a chilling exploration of the power of stories, family tensions and the secrets we keep from ourselves, and will publish November 2018.
Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, Senior Commissioning Editor at Avon said: ‘This is dark, creepy, addictive storytelling at its absolute best. I am so excited to bring Sophie to the Avon list. In this debut, she deftly weaves an evocative, gothic atmosphere with a compelling contemporary compelling plot, and I know that this clever and unsettling novel will establish her as a crucial new voice in the psychological thriller market.’
Sophie Draper said: ‘It was such an enjoyable and immersive experience writing this novel, exploring a character trapped in the disturbing visual landscape of her work as an illustrator and the illusive memories of her childhood. Everyone that I have met on this journey has been so supportive and kind and I am absolutely delighted to be working with Rachel and the expert team at Avon.’
Williams said: ‘As soon as I first read Sophie’s novel, I knew it was something special – chilling, atmospheric and absolutely compulsive reading. I’m thrilled that Avon will be publishing this very special debut.’
Sophie Draper also won the Friday Night Live competition at the York Festival of Writing 2017. She lives in Derbyshire, where the book is set, and under the name Sophie Snell she works as a traditional oral storyteller. You can find her on Twitter at @sophiedraper9.
