Gollancz Acquires The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris

Kyte 25Best-selling author Joanne Harris is joining the world famous Gollancz list with a brand new adult fantasy novel based on Norse mythology.

Gollancz, the SF and fantasy imprint of the Orion Publishing Group, has secured world rights, including audio and translation, for The Gospel of Loki in a substantial six-figure two book deal struck by Gollancz Deputy Publishing Director Jon Wood and agent Peter Robinson of Rogers, Coleridge & White.

The novel is a brilliant first person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods – retold from the point-of-view of the world’s ultimate trickster, Loki. It tells the story of Loki’s recruitment from underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard.

Her stories of magic, fantasy and gothic horror have already earned Joanne a loyal following among the fantasy community and she will be one of the main Guests of Honour, alongside Richard Matheson and fellow Gollancz author Joe Hill, at the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton in October. Usually held in America, this convention will see writers, artists, agents, publishers and readers gather to celebrate fantastical literature in all its forms. Other guests at the convention include China Mieville, Brian Aldiss and Joe Abercrombie.

Fairytale and folklore have always played a part in Harris’s writing from an early age and her previous novels have included elements of magic and the supernatural. It was her particular love of Norse mythology that inspired her to write The Gospel of Loki.

Joanne said: ‘I have had enormous fun writing The Gospel of Loki and I am absolutely delighted at the enthusiastic response it has received so far. I very much hope that that enthusiasm will be shared by readers when Gollancz publishes it next year.’

Jon Wood said: ‘We are over-the-moon at Gollancz to be publishing this amazing fantasy novel. Joanne has used her expert knowledge of Norse mythology and melded it with an incredibly detailed and imaginative world of her own creation. Loki is brought to life in all his glory with neither humour nor darkness in short supply! We expect this to be a huge success in 2014’.