It’s with great excitement that we can post news here of a book deal for Sunyi Dean. It looks like winning a Leeds Writers Circle short story competition is a gateway to even greater success! The deal was sealed some time ago but Sunyi has had to keep it under wraps until the official press release just yesterday.

Sunyi has a three book deal with Tor Books for the North American Rights, (details here) and Harper Voyager UK for the British rights (see here). The first book to be announced is The Book Eaters, publishing with Tor Books in Winter 2022.

From Sunyi’s new website (well worth a look here) it’s described as “A princess, a castle, a monster … a marriage. A knight of Camelot, and a dragon of great power. But this is no fairytale. And nothing is what it seems. Set in alternate 90s Britain, The Book Eaters is a speculative thriller following a complex anti-heroine, in search of redemption and revenge.”

We can’t wait to get our hands on a copy. It’s a wonderful achievement and many in the Circle know how hard Sunyi has worked to get to this point and how thoroughly deserved a success it is. Congratulations.

With perfect timing, the news also arrived today of the announcement of the November 25th publication date for Gill Osborne’s debut novel In A Flurry Of Feathers. Congratulations again to Gill. Once again, we look forward to getting our hands on a copy. Watch this space.

We already have our hands on a copy of Bloody Amazing. Both Su Ryder and Emma Storr have had poems selected for this remarkable book, a poetry anthology that aims to break taboos and fight period poverty.

Yet more members have been successful in having stories broadcast on Radio Leeds. In addition to the twelve stories previously mentioned we can now add another couple. Congratulations to everyone.

• ‘His just breath’ by Matthew Hardwyck
• ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ by Ann Clarke

Once again, you can hear them all on the Radio Leeds website here. 

It will be no surprise that Pat Belford has a new story out in the latest The People’s Friend Special. It’s about an artist who encourages young children in the local school to write “proper” letters to Santa Claus.

Finally, an announcement that the Aldeburgh Poetry Festival is going virtual on the 12th to the 15th of this month with Emma Storr and Charlotte Eichler performing alongside Carole Bromley and Lydia Kennaway. This celebrated local quartet will be reading on Friday, November 13th from 3pm to 4pm on the theme of Perception. Details here.