Gollancz to publish new Joanne M Harris!

Gollancz is delighted to announce the acquisition of A Pocketful of Crows, the first of two stunning novellas by award-winning and bestselling author Joanne M. Harris.

Gillian Redfearn, Publishing Director of Gollancz, acquired world rights (excluding Italy) from Peter Robinson of the Rogers, Coleridge & White Literary Agency.

A Pocketful of Crows is a dark fable for adults, and a perfect read for the winter months. Beautifully written and illustrated,  it was inspired by the The Brown Girl ballad (number 295 in The Child Ballad – a collection of 305 traditional English and Scottish tales from the late 1800’s) and draws on nature, the seasons and superstitions to weave a tale of young love, magic, heartbreak, betrayal and revenge.

Originating as one of @JoanneChocolat’s live #Storytime events, in which she composes a new story live on twitter, it has developed into the coming-of-age tale of a nameless, wild girl who follows her heart into a fairy-tale relationship. Exploring themes of being an outsider, and of discovering who you are and what you can achieve, this is a powerful love and life story with a touch of Grimm’s fairy tales, a pinch of the gothic and a lot of humanity.
Joanne Harris said: ‘I see A Pocketful of Crows as a psychological coming-of-age story disguised as a fairy tale. There are elements of Grimm’s fairy tales here, and elements of the Gothic novel. Most of all, there is the idea that fairy tales can be reflections of the human psyche, expressing things through story that cannot be easily articulated elsewhere’

Gillian Redfearn said: ‘This is such a treat for winter. A beautiful story of love and loss, perfect to read in front of a fire as the nights start to close in. I love the combination of stunning writing, a gripping story and a world where nature and superstition go hand in hand with the everyday world. It’s a superb novella and I think readers will adore it!’

A Pocketful of Crows will be published in hardback in October 2017.

Find out more at www.joanne-harris.co.uk or by following @Joannechocolat