Jad Adam’s GANDHI: NAKED AMBITION was published in March by Quercus to a great deal of praise. Philip Hensher in the Mail on Sunday described it as a “vividly human, even funny book” and the Glasgow Herald advised “anyone trying to find a way through the myriad political byways of modern India and Pakistan, Adam’s no-nonsense biography is as good a starting point as any”. Jad currently has a novel on offer.

Vivienne Bolton has written a four page spread in Elle Decoration (pp. 40-43) this month, on ‘35 Ways to Holiday at Home’. Offering fun ideas for indoors and out, Vivienne shows how to make everyday a holiday. Buy it now!

Gemma Burgess has been very busy over the last few months creating a fabulous trailer for her debut novel, THE DATING DETOX. In the three weeks since its launch it has already been uploaded more than 10,000 times! Gemma has since written a great article on BookBrunch about how she went about making the trailer, and the other joys of self-promotion.

Mike Carey has just been commissioned by Little, Brown to write a sixth book in his series about London gumshoe exorcist Felix Castor. Mike, his wife Linda and his teenage daughter Louise have also been commissioned to write a Scheherezade-type fantasy called THE STEEL SERAGLIO. This extravagant tale of the city in the desert where an escaped harem lives with their children will be published (probably next year) by ChiZine.

NO SAFE PLACE, Emily Christie’s horrifying account of her childhood and the devastation caused by her abusive grandfather, has recently been published by Penguin.

Daniel Depp’s first book, LOSER’S TOWN, comes out in paperback from Simon & Schuster to national press advertising in July. His second novel, BABYLON NIGHTS, is published in August in hardcover. LOSER’S TOWN has had great reviews - called “a stunner” by The Independent, and a starred review in Publishers Weekly labeled it “inspired”.

Hugely talented young Scot Neil Forsyth has a number of exciting projects relating to his creation Bob Servant coming up. Firstly Birlinn (home of Alexander McCall Smith) will republish his hilarious book DELETE THIS AT YOUR PERIL which garnered this rave review from Irvine Welsh in Esquire magazine’s feature on 'The Fifty Funniest Books Ever':

Delete This at Your Peril is a very, very funny book and a perfect present for anybody who has: A) a sense of humour and B) gets irritated by Internet spammers and their tiresome scams… You will piss yourself and then quote sections of this book repeatedly within your circle of friends”

Sadly this quote appeared a year after the book's original publication and it was no longer in print in the UK. If ever there was a case where a book missed the sales it deserved this was it, despite getting many more excellent reviews, especially north of the border. But the tide for Bob Servant is turning as Birlinn will also publish a follow up book, BOB SERVANT – HERO OF DUNDEE - and BBC Scotland will broadcast a six-part radio series based upon ‘Delete’s’ email exchanges.

Neil Forsyth has also just agreed a deal which will take his next novel to Beth Coates’ increasingly impressive looking stable of authors at Jonathan Cape. SAN CARLOS is set in 1989 and under the searing heat of the Ibizan sun two young people are looking for answers amongst the throng of the island's holiday-makers. Over the course of five days their stories gradually connect and the two are drawn together with explosive consequences.

Dana Fowley’s memoir HOW COULD SHE? was in the Sunday Times Top Ten for a highly impressive 13 weeks (7 of those spent in the number one spot) and continues to attract overseas interest - as demonstrated by a recent Dutch sale to Boekerij.

Sue Gee’s new novel, provisionally titled WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE, has been bought by her regular publisher, Mary-Anne Harrington at Headline Review. Sue will deliver by September 2011 for publication the following spring. The novel follows the fortunes of a couple and their two young children who return from India after WW2 and have to adapt to lifestyle and work that are new and strange to them both. Sue’s last novel, Reading in Bed, was the Daily Mail’s Book of the Month and was shortlisted for the Good Housekeeping Award.

Bryony Hill is a woman of many talents – a prize-winning author of fiction, a renowned gardener and now we discover she is a very classy cook! Her book ANGEL IN AN APRON is just published by The Book Guild and has already received the seal of approval from another great cook, Gary Rhodes: “Good cooking is created from a balance of good flavours, good textures and with that, lots of passion. This is book is full of all those ingredients with the great addition of simplicity to finish.”

The paperback of Ray Jenkins’s THE PACIFIST AT WAR will be published on the 10th July by Arrow Books. Christopher Hudson in the Daily Telegraph has called it “a fascinating book about a remarkable man”.

Margaret Leroy’s THE PERFECT MOTHER was published in the States as Postcards in Berlin several years ago, but now gets its first UK publication from Mira Books. It bravely tackles the controversial subject of Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy – where a parent is accused of deliberately harming their own child – something Margaret herself experienced both as a mother and as a social worker.

Oberon will publish a revised paperback edition of THE LIFE IN MY YEARS this September. British icon of stage and screen Virginia McKenna brings you a lifetime of amazing experiences in this intriguing autobiography. The paperback coincides with the 50th anniversary of the publication of the book Born Free, and Virginia is booked for numerous events and book festivals throughout the autumn.

The layouts have just arrived for Suzi Moore's adorable picture book GOODNIGHT LITTLE ONE and Rosie Reeve’s illustrations are perfect - Suzi says that Rosie must be telepathic! Simon & Schuster are currently considering two more titles by Suzi.

Lauren Oliver’s BEFORE I FALL, published in the US and UK at the beginning of the year, has just been released in Australia to great reviews and impressive sales.
“In her debut novel, Lauren Oliver channels all the awkwardness and wonder of teenage consciousness within a poignant framework...as someone said of Nick Hornby, it takes a mature writer to describe immaturity, Lauren Oliver proves this to be true in her thought provoking, memorable debut.” Herald Sun

Anne Perry’s new stand-alone novel, THE SHEEN ON THE SILK, was published in April to excellent reviews. “Readers whose tastes tend toward epic-sized mysteries set in a far-flung past will jump right in, captivated by the intriguing story and the author’s seemingly effortless grasp of her historical setting. This could open up a whole new readership for the versatile Perry.” Booklist

Award-winning novelist and Amazon Rising Star Bethan Roberts has moved from Serpents Tail to Chatto in a new two-book deal. The first novel in the deal, entitled MY POLICEMAN, is a beautifully written 50’s set love triangle partly inspired by the life of E M Forster and his relationship with his long-time companion Bob Buckingham and his wife. Chatto will publish in Spring 2012.

Ruth Singer's SEW ECO will be published by A&C Black in June. Ruth's beautiful book shows you how to use treasures from flea markets, charity shops, vintage stores or the back of your own wardrobe in an original and beautiful way. She demonstrates how to customise existing clothes to give them a fresh life as well as turning scraps of fabric into dazzling chair seats or lampshades. Save the planet and be beautiful!

The final book in Simon Scarrow’s four-part series about Napoleon and Wellington, THE FIELDS OF DEATH, has just hit No.1. on Bookscan. Published by Headline, this shows the inexorable journey of the two giants towards the fields of Waterloo. A cracking read, with massive support from the bookshops and supermarkets.

Love, lingerie and loyalty collide in Rekha Waheed’s new novel, SARIS AND THE CITY, her first for Little Black Dress and published last month. Publicity has included a BBC radio interview and great online coverage, including being described as “cosmopolitan, sassy and sharp” on Handbag.com. We agree! A special edition has been prepared for release in the Indian market later this year.

Paul Wilson’s new novel THE VISITING ANGEL has been acquired by Tindal Street Press, and will be published as their lead title next May.

Gavin Williams has been commissioned by Random House to write a novelisation of a major computer game; he is working hard on the manuscript now for a November 2010 publication.

Precious Williams’ forthcoming memoir PRECIOUS (US Title: COLOR BLIND), August, Bloomsbury, is generating a great deal of pre-publication heat. Serial rights in her inspirational true story of a young, black woman growing up in white foster care in Britain have been snapped up by The Times and the book has already garnered a string of terrific reader responses so far:
“Precious is an extraordinary book. Alternately alarming and funny, always spare and beautifully crafted, this is a testament to the internal exile of subordinated social groups that no reader should miss.” Author Denise Mina.
“Williams offers an English journalist's wry, charming memoir of being a black Nigerian girl growing up in a 1970s white foster home. Beautifully wrought....”**Publishers Weekly
“An affecting memoir....Williams touches on themes that have every opportunity to come off syrupy, but she continually rescues the narrative from mawkishness.... the story moves along toward a tremendously satisfying conclusion that speaks to aspiration and desire. Well done.”** Kirkus Reviews
“Powerful and arresting memoir...” **The Bookseller

TRUST ME I’M A VET by Cathy Woodman has been selling steadily through all major supermarkets through the spring, proving a very popular read with its winning combination of lovers and animals! We are also delighted that American rights have been snapped up by Hyperion. Her new novel, MUST BE LOVE, is scheduled for early autumn also from Arrow Books. Between stints at her computer Cathy cares for two horses, three dogs, two cats, a rescue rat – and two children and a husband

NEW CLIENTS

We welcome as a new client Farah Abushwesha, co-founder of the Rocliffe New Writing Forum, held at BAFTA. She’s delivered a proposal for a book on what to do with your screenplay once you’ve finished it – in other words, how a writer becomes professional. She’s also working on a number of film projects.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lin Berwick, MBE who has written a searingly honest memoir chronicling her life; from being born with Cerebral Palsy and defective sight, her romance and marriage with Ralph, and to their enforced separation after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It is both a beautiful, heart-wrenching and ultimately inspiring love story, and an uncompromising look at the state, and society’s, attitude to disability. It is out on submission now.

Successful novelist Elizabeth McGregor’s most recent novel, Learning by Heart, was shortlisted for the RNA Book of the Year. Now she has changed her name to Liz Cooke and changed genre. In her new book, AN UNNATURAL AND UNTIMELY END, she investigates a true story: an 18th-century scandal which involved the sudden, violent death of a hugely wealthy young aristocrat. Being compared to Kate Summerscale’s The Suspicions of Mr Whicher for its revelations of betrayal and family feud amidst contemporaneous media frenzy, Liz’s book has already been snapped up by Profile.

Record-breaking adventurer Bonita Norris who last month became the youngest British woman ever to conquer Everest has joined MBA as a new client. 22 year-old Bonita attracted world-wide attention for her feat during which she lost nearly two-stone and narrowly avoided falling victim to the mountain’s ‘’death zone” at 26,000ft after a fall during her descent. Bonita’s memoir will be an exhilarating firsthand account of one woman’s urge to climb and will reveal how she first had to conquer her personal demons (a crippling eating disorder) which made climbing Everest an even bigger challenge.

Victoria Whitworth joins MBA with a wonderful crime/quest novel, BONE-THIEF, set in 10th Century Mercia and starring Wulfgar, an unworldly priest sent out into enemy territory to recover the holy bones of Saint Oswald. Victoria has a D.Phil in history – and her special subject was Anglo-Saxon death. The perfect research material for a novel featuring outlaws, holy men, knights and queens at a time when life truly was nasty, brutish and short. For fans of CJ Sansom, LL is just sending out on submission now.

For foreign rights information on any of these titles please contact Stella Kane (stella@mbalit.co.uk)

THEATRE

Workshops have started on Sita Brahmachari's exciting interpretation of Shaun Tan's moving graphic novel The Arrival. The book (no text) charts the experience of immigrants to a new and bewildering country. Sita is working in collaboration with Tamasha's artistic director Kristine Landon-Smith and a team of circus artists from The Circus Space to create a unique theatre-circus production.

Lisa Evans’ two-hander GLORY, GLORY had an excellent run at the Duke’s Theatre, Lancaster, getting a rare 4 stars from The Guardian. Lisa is currently working on a new play for Polka Theatre, and the script for a one-day open-air extravaganza called Bollywood Baraat for the Nuffield Theatre.

Dean Stalham continues to be very busy. His play NORMAN’S ARK received a week of work shopping at the Orange Tree in Richmond followed by a rehearsed reading on Thursday 3rd June. He has also written a new play off the back of recent Royal Court and Arvon courses, called GOD DONT LIVE ON A COUNCIL ESTATE which is going to be the opening play at the new Hot Tap theatre in New Cross, the newly acquired performance space of ART SAVES LIVES. This community interest group exists to give marginalized writers, artists and musicians a platform, and Dean has worked tirelessly with setting it up. The play runs from the 13th to 31st July. Please book tickets here.

Dan and Nuria Wicksman have taken a brief break from their ongoing film development work and made a foray back into kids writing, completing an episode of THOMAS AND FRIENDS for HiT Entertainment.

Gavin Williams’ modern adaptation of the Mystery play The Fall of Lucifer – HEAVEN’S GOT TALENT – ran May 27th – 30th as the opening part of Durham’s major cycle of modernized mystery plays, THE DURHAM MYSTERIES. It was a great cultural event and sold out for all three nights.

NEW CLIENTS

We’re very pleased that comedian and scriptwriter Caroline Gold has joined us as a client. Best known for her hilarious and poignant play about friendship, HOWARD AND MIMI, which has been performed at Edinburgh and other venues, she is working on a new stage play and other scripts. Her short screenplay was recently featured at the Rocliffe New Writing Forum.

For more information on any of our writers or directors, or to see samples of their work, please contact Fiona Barrows (fiona@mbalit.co.uk)