Zoe Whittall

Scotiabank Giller Prize finalist Zoe Whittall has signed two-book, six-figure deals with HarperCollins Canada senior vice-president and executive publisher Iris Tupholme (Canadian rights) and Ballantine executive editor Andra Miller (U.S. rights).

The first title, a novel called The Spectacular, will publish in both Canada and the U.S. in fall 2019. Told in “several interlocking narratives,” the story follows Ruth, a dying Montreal woman who decides to throw herself a farewell party in the seaside Turkish village where she grew up. Ruth is reluctantly joined by her granddaughter Missy, a cellist who is forced to leave her band’s tour following an incident at the border involving some forgotten cocaine. Both deals were arranged by Samantha Haywood at the Transatlantic Agency.

McClelland & Stewart publisher Jared Bland has acquired, at auction, The Lodge, a memoir by Toronto writer Anna Maxymiw about her time spent working at a remote fishing lodge in the Boreal Forest. An excerpt from the book, which will publish in May 2019, won silver in the Humour category at the National Magazine Awards. M&S senior editor Jenny Bradshaw and publishing manager Kelly Joseph will edit. The deal was arranged by Stephanie Sinclair at the Transatlantic Agency.