John Maher

5 days ago | publishersweekly.com | John Maher

Brian Murray and Liate Stehlik at HarperCollins and William Morrow acquired world all-language rights to an untitled thriller cowritten by James Patterson (far l.) and YouTuber MrBeast (l.), with Robert Barnett and Deneen Howell of Williams & Connolly representing the former and Byrd Leavell and Albert Lee of UTA the latter.

1 week ago | publishersweekly.com | John Maher

What role does the festival, which wrapped up late last month, play for the Icelandic literary community? The biannual festival started as a Nordic poetry festival, but in 1987 it became more international, with authors from all over the world attending. We’ve had almost 200 authors from more than 60 countries visit the festival over the years. It’s like being in a big book club, and we love being in book clubs here.

1 week ago | publishersweekly.com | John Maher

Emily Bestler preempted U.S., Canadian, and open market rights to She Fell Away by Lenore Nash (pictured l.) for her eponymous imprint, in a two-book deal, from Alexandra Machinist at CAA.

1 week ago | publishersweekly.com | John Maher

What role does the festival, which wrapped up late last month, play for the Icelandic literary community? The biannual festival started as a Nordic poetry festival, but in 1987 it became more international, with authors from all over the world attending. We’ve had almost 200 authors from more than 60 countries visit the festival over the years. It’s like being in a big book club, and we love being in book clubs here.

2 weeks ago | publishersweekly.com | John Maher

Jade Hui at Summit Books preempted North American rights to The Kindness of Strangers by Emma Garman (pictured l.), in a two-book deal, from Cara Lee Simpson at Susanna Lea. The publisher called the book “a taut and multi-POV homage to the classic murder mystery, set in a rooming house in post-WWII London,” and said it explores “perilous self-invention, complicated love, righteous revenge, and a murder that will implicate everyone.” Publication is set for May 2026.