G.P. Taylor Signs Book Deal with Penguin Group

Posted on June 4, 2004

Bestselling vicar-turned-author, G. P. Taylor, known for his gothic-adventure novel, Shadowmancer, has signed a multi-book deal with Penguin Young Readers Group in the United States and Faber & Faber in the United Kingdom. The first book by G. P. (Graham) Taylor, Shadowmancer, spent 15 weeks at #1 on the paperback bestseller list in Britain. Shadowmancer has been translated into nearly 20 languages.

The deal was brokered by Nancy Paulsen, President and Publisher of G. P. Putnam's Sons, a division of Penguin Group (USA), and at Faber & Faber, Suzy Jenvey, Children's Editorial Director and Tara Hiatt, Acting Rights Director. Starting in 2005, Penguin and Faber & Faber plan to publish one new hardcover each year, simultaneously in the U.S. and the U.K. The deal gives Penguin Young Readers Group North American rights.

The United States has gone back to print two times before on sale and is poised to get out an unprecedented number of hardcover books. Daily Variety recently announced a $6 million film deal for Shadowmancer with Fortitude Films. G.P. Taylor's second book, Wormwood, will go on sale in England this summer and in the U.S. this fall.

Doug Whiteman, Executive Vice President of Penguin Group (USA), President of Penguin Young Readers Group said, "It's been a long time since I've seen the kind of pre-publication excitement that we're seeing about Shadowmancer right now. We are thrilled to be contracting for more books with the man who has already taken England by storm, and is about to do the same thing here in the U.S."

G. P. Taylor is the Vicar of Cloughton in Yorkshire, England. His career has spanned many areas including rock music, social work, and ten years on the police force. He now divides his time between writing and his clergy.

Taylor said, "Over the last year I have been made so welcome by Faber and Putnam that an offer to work with them for further books couldn't be turned down. I have a very close working relationship with the editorial staff that had enhanced my confidence as a writer. Both publishers are looking at my work as a long term project and it's amazing that I should be given this superb opportunity so early in my career. I look forward to be with them in ten books time and beyond."