Fantasy Book Critic: PRESS RELEASE – John Jarrold signs TWO-BOOK deal with Macmillan/Tor UK for Mark Charan Newton!

UK – January 28, 2008. Literary agent John Jarrold (Ian Cameron Esslemont, Stephen Hunt) has concluded a two-book World Rights Deal for new UK fantasy author Mark Charan Newton with Peter Lavery of Macmillan/Tor UK.

The first book is titled “Nights of Villjamur”, and will be published in early 2009: An impending Ice Age looms over an Empire and its many storylines including the death of an Emperor and his daughter’s return to claim the throne; a crime noir plot that involves the city’s Councilors and high-profile murders; and a cocky womanizer pretending to be a dance tutor… Will appeal to readers of both George R. R. Martin and Scott Lynch.

Thanks to Mark, I had the very special privilege of reading the prologue and the first three chapters to “Nights of Villjamur” and I have a feeling this is going to be a good one :) The darker, grittier tone reminded me of Steven Erikson’s Malazan novels, while the setting seemed to be influenced by Norse history. The chapters are brisk and entice the reader with a strong blend of action & intrigue, interesting characters, and a world that features Cultists, relics, the half-man/half-vulture garudas, and the non-human rumels. In short, I’ve only scratched the service of what “Nights of Villjamur” has to offer, but the outlook is quite promising…

“I’m delighted for Mark,” said John Jarrold. “He was one of my first clients when I started up the agency back in 2004, and this is really the fulfillment of a great deal of thought and hard work on his part. And this is the first deal I’ve done with Peter Lavery, who I have known for twenty years—and who is one of the UK’s best and most respected editors in any form of publishing.”

Mark Charan Newton is 26 years old, and lives in Nottingham. He previously worked as an SF buyer in an Ottakar bookstore. Book reviewers might also recognize Mark from Solaris Books where he works as an assistant editor. Additionally, Mark’s debut novel “The Reef” (Preorder HERE) is scheduled for publication this March/April through Pendragon Press, which I’m looking forward to reviewing :)