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Self-published smash for MJ

28.05.12 | Charlotte Williams

Michael Joseph has acquired a debut novel, On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves, which was self-published in the US, and has spent five weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Michael Joseph publisher Sam Humphreys bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in the novel from Anna Carmichael at Abner Stein. The e-book edition will be published on 28th May, priced £2.99, with the paperback to follow on 19th July, priced £7.99. Penguin reports the book has sold 130,000 e-books over the last month in the US.

The story focuses on Anna and TJ who are washed up on a tropical island when the seaplane they are in crash-lands in the Indian Ocean.

Humphreys said: "On the Island is about survival, but it's also a love story with a twist. The book's been an incredible success in the US, and once I started reading, I could see why: I just couldn't put it down.

"There are an amazing number of reader reviews online-over 1,500-and nearly all say exactly the same thing. That's very rare indeed, and I'm thrilled to be publishing this book here."

 

• Charlotte Williams
• Michael Joseph
• Rights deal