Katrina Kendrick news: Steamy romances acquired by Head of Zeus
Good morning, readers! I am so excited to announce that Head of Zeus will be publishing my Katrina Kendrick books, both the previously self-published backlist and new frontlist titles!
Here’s the official press release:
Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus, has swooped for Elizabeth May’s “sizzling” regency romance novels written under the pseudonym Katrina Kendrick.
Editor-at-large and publisher Rosie de Courcy and managing director Nicolas Cheetham acquired world English language rights from Danny Baror at Baror International Inc. The first three books will be published in August 2023 with two more instalments following in April and September 2024.
“No editor understands historical romance better than Rosie de Courcy,” said Cheetham. “No-one represents the genre’s new wave better than Katrina Kendrick. We’re delighted to bring the two together at Aria.”
The first three books in the “steamy” Private Arrangement series were originally self-published and will be re-launched with Aria with new packaging and a “comprehensive” marketing campaign. The instalments due to be published next year will be brand new. Head of Zeus plans to launch Kendrick as a leading name in historical romance writing.
Under her real name, May is also known for her fantasy novels including the co-authored Seven Devils (Orion), Seven Mercies (Orion) and the Falconer trilogy.
De Courcy commented: “From bestselling fantasy, Elizabeth May has most brilliantly turned her hand to hot historical romance. I absolutely love her Katrina Kendrick novels, set against the vivid backdrop of 19th-century England.”
May added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to partner with Head of Zeus on my Katrina Kendrick books, which includes my self-published backlist and future works. It’s such a delight to be able to bring the Private Arrangements series to new readers in the UK and beyond!”
These books hold such a special place in my heart. I’d never written romance before, so I decided to try self-publishing under a secret pen name in 2018, and I loved writing romance so much that I publicly claimed the books. Since my Katrina books were originally conceived of as a self-publishing experiment, they never went out to editors.
Then last year, my fantasy romance book TO CAGE A GOD (as Elizabeth May) went on submission, and Head of Zeus was one of the publishing houses that offered for it. That book found its home at Daphne Press, so my agent asked if HOZ would be interested in the romances. So now my Katrina books have a home, too. 🥰
So what does this mean for the self-published backlist?
A TOUCH WICKED, previously a novella, is being extended into a full-length novel out next year.
HIS SCANDALOUS LESSONS has seen a fair bit of revising to bring the writing more up to date with my current work.
TEMPTING THE SCOUNDREL and A BRIDE BY MORNING were also revised and given a nice tidying up!
What does this mean for frontlist? It means this is no longer a side project, so I have deadlines and release dates for future books.
It’s been delightful to work on these again and read all the incredible feedback from my new editor, the fabulous Rosie De Courcy. The books have improved immensely, and I can’t wait for readers to give them a new glance and find them in bookshops.
Thank you all so much for the support you gave me while I wrote this series. It wouldn’t be where it is right now without you.
xx