The Bookseller.com

5th July 2009

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HarperCollins' Guillermo del Toro trilogy

25.09.08 Katie Allen

HarperCollins has bought the rights to a thriller vampire trilogy from acclaimed "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo del Toro and Hammett Award-winning author Chuck Hogan.

The first book in the as-yet-untitled series, The Strain, concerns the invasion of New York City by a vampiric virus, mysteriously emanating from a plane touching down at JFK airport. The trilogy was acquired by Sarah Hodgson, deputy publishing director at HarperCollins UK and David Highfill, executive editor at William Morrow from Richard Abate at Endeavor in a global three-book deal. Del Toro's manager Gary Ungar of Exile Entertainment and his attorney George Hayum also participated in the deal.

The Strain will have a worldwide publication date in summer 2009, with the release dates of the following two books to be confirmed.

"We're absolutely delighted to be publishing the first foray into fiction from one of the world's most acclaimed and visionary directors," said Hodgson. "The strength of del Toro's vision comes as vividly alive on the page as it does on the screen."

Amanda Ridout, HarperCollins m.d., said, "We are thrilled to welcome del Toro as a global HarperCollins author with this extraordinary thriller trilogy, and have ambitious worldwide plans for the launch."

HarperCollins Rights deal Katie Allen Guillermo del Toro Chuck Hogan