New Zealand author Sue Copsey signs two-book deal with Little, Brown UK

High Spot Literary is delighted to announce that UK-born, New Zealand-based author Sue Copsey’s first adult novel, Wife After Wife has just been acquired by Little, Brown Book Group in the United Kingdom in a two-book deal for publication in November 2019. Wife After Wife, is a modern retelling of the story of England’s favourite ginger tyrant – King Henry VIII – but with a 21^st century twist. 

Emma Beswetherick, Associate Publisher at Little, Brown Book Group said; “Even without the history behind the story, the Henry in Sue’s debut makes the most charismatic of heroes. But throw in the familiar story of Henry’s love affairs with his six wives and you find yourself with a rollicking romance full of intrigue, deception, danger and glamour. It truly is the perfect sun-lounger read.” 

“I began wondering, how Henry VIII’s life would play out if he was reincarnated in today’s world, with its more enlightened (usually) attitudes to women, improved diets and healthcare, and laws to curb the excesses of power,” said Copsey of the inspiration behind Wife After Wife. “I had a ball writing this book and I’m thrilled that my fairy godmothers at Highspot Literary put this manuscript under the nose of a UK publisher who got it immediately.”

High Spot Literary’s Vicki Marsdon and Nadine Rubin Nathan chose Copsey’s pitch as the winning pitch in a competition at New Zealand Society of Authors’ AGM in May. “We look for novels by New Zealand authors that will appeal to international publishers,” said Marsdon. “Nadine and I knew immediately that Sue’s manuscript was something we could sell.”

Jenny Nagle, chief executive officer NZSA said: “The Pitch Perfect competition creates opportunities for writers. We offer our congratulations to High Spot Literary’s agents and Sue Copsey.  We are delighted that they not only accepted Sue’s pitch and manuscript, but have already on-sold world rights to a respected overseas publisher.”

Copsey is an award-winning writer of spooky adventure stories for older children. Her 2015 title The Ghosts of Tarawera was the recipient of a Notable Book Award from the Storylines Children's Literature Trust of New Zealand. As well as children's fiction, Sue has produced many non-fiction books, including the UK Times Educational Supplement award winner Children Just Like Me, and Our Children Aotearoa, which also won a Notable Book Award (2012). She has two children and lives in Auckland.

About High Spot Literary: Currently New Zealand’s only literary agency representing authors of adult fiction and non-fiction, High Spot Literary is a full service literary agency that aims to find the widest possible audience for its authors both inside and outside New Zealand.

www.highspotlit.com