Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson has announced a new fantasy YA duology called Gutterwitch, which has sparked a global frenzy, with a string of headline-making deals that signal this is a book to watch.
Jikiemi-Pearson, who is of Nigerian, Jamaican, and British-Australian descent, revealed on Instagram that Gutterwitch was at the center of not one, but two fiercely competitive auctions—one in the UK and another in the US.
Newly launched Bloomsbury Archer came out on top in a nine-way battle to secure UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) in a six-figure deal, marking the imprint’s very first acquisition. Across the Atlantic, Random House Children’s snapped up North American rights in a major upper-six-figure deal, which was officially recognized as a Deal of the Day on Publishers Marketplace—an honor reserved for the most buzzworthy industry moves.
International publishers are also clamoring for a piece of Gutterwitch. German rights went to Ullstein in another six-figure deal, and other translation rights were pre-emptively sold to Intrinseca (Brazil), Salani (Italy), Foksal (Poland), and Psichogios (Greece).
And the excitement doesn’t stop there: film rights have already been acquired by powerhouse agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), setting the stage for a potential big-screen adaptation.
With this kind of early momentum, Gutterwitch is poised to be nothing short of a literary phenomenon.
Paper Literary, which represents Jikiemi-Pearson, describes Gutterwitch as a “a coming-of-age story about a girl who dared to dream big – and whose power ends up surpassing anything she could have imagined.”:
Gutterwitch follows Joan, a scullery maid and sworn-servant to a high-born mistress who wishes upon a fallen star to be the greatest witch in the land. Blessed with the wild magic of a star, years later Joan is summoned to a prestigious witching academy, where, alongside fellow outcast Prince Caspar of Fairie, she quickly finds herself at the centre of a dark plot and a new war among witches.
Jikiemi-Pearson shared the news of these impressive acquisitions alongside a heartfelt caption sharing her gratitude and excitement at the huge success of her books:
to wishes on stars ✨
—
It is an understatement to say that I am feeling like the luckiest girl in the world this morning. But luck has very little to do with it — Sincerest thanks to my goddess of an agent @catherinekcho , for believing in this book from a title and a pitch in an email!! I am forever honoured to be a client of yours. Working with you and the wonderful ladies @paperliterary on GUTTERWITCH has restored my faith in this industry.Thank you to @bloomsburypublishing and @randomhousekids for seeing right through to the shining heart of my story. To be published by such visionary publishers, who are consistently found at the cutting edge of fantasy, feels surreal, but also perfect.
I’m so unbelievably excited to share this book with the world!! Joan, Caspar, and Belinda found me at just the right time. I hope they find you at the right time, too.
Also, hello !!
More soon.
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson is the inaugural winner of the Future Worlds Prize. Her debut novel, The Principle of Moments (Gollancz 2024), a Sunday Times bestseller, was published in January 2024, garnering a TikTok Book award nomination for Best British and Irish Novel. A recent graduate with a BA in English Literature and Classical Studies, she is also co-founder of Impact of Omission.
The first book of the duology is anticipated to come out in 2027. We can’t wait!
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