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VMC acquires more Thirkell

11.01.13 | Charlotte Williams

Virago Modern Classics has acquired four further titles by Angela Thirkell, to be released in paperback and e-book.  

The deal was done with Peter Buckman at The Ampersand Agency on behalf of the Thirkell Estate.

Two of Thirkell’s 1930s novels, High Rising and Wild Strawberries, have already proved popular over Christmas, according to the publisher. Rowan Cope, commissioning editor for Little, Brown Book Group was “delighted” to acquire the UK and Commonwealth rights to four additional titles from Thirkell’s Barsetshire series.  

Pomfret Towers, described by Cope as having “a pleasingly light-hearted Downton-esque storyline about the marriage plans of a young heir to the entailed family estate”, will be published in November 2013. The Brandons, Summer Half and August Folly will follow in summer 2014.

Cope said: “It has been such fun to publish High Rising and Wild Strawberries, and I’m really looking forward to bringing out these further titles.”

Peter Buckman said: “I hope that these new editions of further “Barsetshire” novels will make Angela Thirkell as popular as Georgette Heyer [also represented by the agency], which was the case when both these formidable ladies were alive. In these depressed times the sparkle of Thirkell’s comedies is a tonic we all need.”

 

• Angea Thirkell
• Charlotte Williams
• Rights deal
• Virago
• Virago Modern Classics