Tor UK wins ‘heated’ five-way auction for Ruby Dixon’s Villain Origin Story

Tor UK has acquired Villain Origin Story, a stand-alone dark fantasy comedy by Ruby Dixon.

Publisher Gillian Green acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in all formats from Tawanna Sullivan at PRH US following a “heated” five-publisher auction. The title will be released on Tor’s romance and romantasy list, Bramble, in spring 2027.

Villain Origin Story is loosely inspired by Sweeney Todd and follows Joslen, a village girl who has reached her breaking point. “Faced with the prospect of an arranged marriage and a lifetime of misery, Joslen decides to stop being nice and instead turns up at the door of local villain, the Scourge King, Vilos Saumien, with the head of her enemy to prove her intent,” the description reads, adding that the novel features Own Voices disability representation, as both the author and the protagonist have scoliosis. “The condition is central to the character’s identity and, notably, is not magically fixed within the story,” the publisher says.

Green said: “I’ve long admired – nay, been addicted to – Ruby’s writing since the early days of the Ice Planet Barbarians. She is the undisputed queen of spicy romance. With Villain Origin Story, Ruby pivots brilliantly into dark fantasy comedy, retaining her signature humour while fully embracing her Villain Era. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Ruby to Tor Bramble.”

Dixon commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with Tor UK to bring this story to even more readers. Joslen is a heroine who’s very close to my heart and I can’t wait for her to carve her way into everyone else’s.”