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Myriad Editions has signed a new historical novel by Sally O'Reilly.
Aphra X is based on the life of Restoration playwright Aphra Behn, a prolific writer and wit, as well as a spy and possible mistress of the king.
Myriad publisher and m.d. Candida Lacey bought world rights directly from the author. Myriad has already signed a historical novel, Dark Aemelia, from O'Reilly, which is due for publication in the UK in March 2014. Picador has signed rights to publish in the US.
Lacey said: "[O'Reilly] is an exceptionally talented literary writer who creates richly evocative and compelling fiction around nuggets of little known fact. Dark Aemilia has already received glittering pre-publication endorsements from writers such as Fay Weldon, Celia Brayfield, Susanna Jones and Man Booker-longlisted author Alison MacLeod."
Behn was the author of plays such as The Rover and The Roundheads, and also wrote novels including Oroonoko. The daughter of a barber, she rose from her humble beginnings to become a spy for Charles II in Antwerp, before becoming a favourite in London with her writings.