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Severn House snares queer, dark academia thriller by Alex Myers
Severn House, the genre fiction imprint of Canongate Books, has acquired Old Boys, New Rules, a queer, dark academia thriller by American trans author Alex Myers.
Laurie Johnson acquired world English-language rights, including audio, from Ellen Scordato at Stonesong Literary Agency. Old Boys, New Rules will be published globally, initially in hardcover and e-book, in June 2026.
The blurb reads: “Green Dell Academy might be a co-ed prep school, but it’s still very much a boys’ club. Some call their antics ‘beloved traditions’, others see them for what they are: sexual assault. Luce Rivers, the school’s first female head, has been hired along with outside investigator, Deenah Corderio, to review allegations of misconduct.
“When an assault victim commits suicide, the news sends shock waves across the campus. Soon, Luce is navigating the assault investigation, a campus in turmoil and her growing attraction to Deenah. But things take an even more devastating turn when a member of the faculty is murdered.”
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Myers said: “Having worked at prep schools for over 20 years, including through the Me Too movement, it was fun and cathartic to write this murder mystery. I hope it gives readers an insight into the peculiar and delightful world of New England boarding schools – the power and privilege – and particularly into the way gender influences hierarchies.”
Johnson added: “I am so excited to publish this fast-paced, dark and twisty thriller. Alex is a phenomenal writer who weaves an intriguing tale of characters who will go to any lengths to protect their secrets and others who show the strength of courage needed to challenge what has always been. With gritty drama, a wealth of emotion and page-turning suspense, I just couldn’t put this book down!”
