The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

« Headlines

Canongate buys Nick Cave novel

12.09.08 Catherine Neilan

Canongate publisher and managing director Jamie Byng has acquired world rights to Nick Cave's second novel, nearly 20 years after his début. Byng, who described the Death of Bunny Munro as "a modern Faustus of sorts", acquired the rights through Cave's lawyer, David Glick. "Nick is one of the great forces in contemporary culture—not just an outstanding musician and singer, but also a superb writer, be it of lyrics, screenplays, music scores or novels," said Byng. "This novel is going to shock and amaze a lot of people."

The book traces the fortunes of one man and his son on a road trip around the south coast of England following the suicide of his wife. It will be edited by Francis Bickmore. The hardback, which will retail at £14.99, is due out in September 2009.

Canongate is planning a multimedia launch, with an audiobook narrated by Cave and an e-book launching simultaneously. A signed and numbered limited edition will also be available, as will a special e-book version combining Cave's narration with an original "soundscape".

German publisher Kiepenheuer and Witsch, Italian company Feltrinelli and Australia-based Text have all made pre-emptive offers for rights.

Cave's previous foray into fiction, And the Ass Saw the Angel, has sold 11,147 copies since 1998, when BookScan began recording sales. Publisher Penguin is planning to re-release the book in September as a 20th anniversary special edition.

Cave, meanwhile, is working with long-time collaborator John Hillcoat on the soundtrack for a forthcoming film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road, which is due out in November.

Rights deal Canongate Home Jamie Byng Catherine Neilan Nick Cave