HarperCollins’ Magpie Secures Five-Book Deal with Julie Soto
In a significant move for the fantasy romance genre, HarperCollins has announced a major five-book deal with USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto. The acquisition, led by Martha Ashby, Publishing Director at HarperFiction, and Rachel Winterbottom, Editorial Director at Magpie Books, includes a highly anticipated three-book dark romantasy trilogy and two romantic comedies.
The first book of the trilogy, Rose in Chains, is slated for release in summer 2025 under Magpie Books, as part of The Midnight Collection. This dark and spellbinding novel introduces readers to Briony Rosewood, a heroine caught in a fantasy world divided by opposing forces of magic. With the war lost, and her magic stripped away, Briony is auctioned off to Toven Hearst, the scion of a ruthless family and the object of her ill-fated infatuation. Yet, even in the darkest of times, hope may emerge from the most unexpected places.
Martha Ashby expressed her excitement about the acquisition, noting, “From my early days reading her on AO3, I’ve always found Julie’s writing utterly addictive and Rose in Chains ticks every single box for me: forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a satisfyingly high level of spice. This is one-more-chapter, stay-up-all-night reading, with a dark and twisting plot and a pair of irresistible, star-crossed lovers at its heart.”
Rachel Winterbottom added, “Rose in Chains has all the swoon-inducing tropes we know our readers crave from their romantasy: slow burn, forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, dark yet redemptive. Julie’s writing is intoxicating, heartfelt, and completely compulsive.”
Julie Soto, who gained a significant following on Archive of Our Own (AO3) with over 2.4 million reads on her most popular story, is set to bring her signature style of emotional depth and engaging plots to the fantasy romance arena. Speaking about the deal, Soto said, “Excited doesn’t begin to cover how I feel to be working with Martha and Rachel on these new projects. I am delighted to have the opportunity with Magpie to reach romantasy fans with something that many of my readers will find comfortingly familiar and satisfyingly different, and I am so grateful to be continuing my romcoms with my team at HarperFiction.”
The UK & Commonwealth rights for the trilogy were acquired from Gaia Banks at Sheil Land Associates, while North American rights were sold to Junessa Viloria at Forever/Grand Central. The deal also includes two romantic comedies by Soto, whose romcom debut, Forget Me Not, was a USA Today bestseller and has been optioned for film and television by Universal.
Gaia Banks praised the collaboration, stating, “The HarperCollins team have long been champions of Julie’s, and I’m delighted that this exciting new romantasy trilogy, and two more delicious romcoms, will be published by the super-talented Martha and Rachel.”
With Rose in Chains leading the charge, Julie Soto’s transition from contemporary romance to fantasy romance is poised to captivate readers with her intoxicating blend of magic, romance, and dark intrigue.