Last week it was announced that Heather Burnside’s Working Girl Series will be extended with a further two book deal with Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus!
The first title in the new deal, Amber, will be released in e-book early in 2021, with Sapphire to follow at the end of 2021.
With this fantastic news, we thought we would catch up with Heather and asked her a few questions on her journey to becoming the queen of Gang-Lit:
What are your thoughts on this fantastic news?
“I’m thrilled to be signing up with Aria again and to be working with Jo Bell of the Bell Lomax Moreton agency. It’s great to have the support of such a dedicated, hardworking team. It’s also wonderful to be adding a further two books to The Working Girls series, which has proved very popular with readers.”
What was it like working without an agent- were there any trials and tribulations?
“The advantage with an agent is that you have somebody to help direct your writing career, to discuss ideas with and give you advice on suitable options relating to your career pathway. Jo Bell is fabulous to work with; she is very attentive and easy to talk to and she understands the market. It is also good to know that my agents are actively looking for other outlets for my work.”
Do you have any advice for those considering taking on an agent?
“Although you can go it alone to an extent, I think there comes a point in every author’s career when the services of an agent are necessary in order to take things to the next level.”
Any advice for keen crime writers?
“It’s very difficult to find an agent these days as they are inundated with approaches from authors. However, I think that the personal approach works better as it enables you to strike up a conversation with an agent, which can make you stand out from the slush pile. I actually met the fabulous Jo Bell through a publisher event but you can also meet agents at book fairs and literary festivals.”
What does it mean to you to have the series extended?
“It’s wonderful to have the series extended. The ideas for a further two books have been kicking around in my head for some time so it’s great to know that I’m well on the way to having them published. The first three books in the series have proved very popular with readers and I have received a lot of positive reader feedback from the news of a further two books, which is brilliant.”
A note from Hannah Smith, editorial director at Aria:
“Heather writes incredibly gripping, gritty novels: each character has so much depth that you can’t help put completely empathise with the women in each book. I am thrilled to be continuing The Working Girls series with Heather and bringing more brilliant books to her fans.”
Heather’s next book Crystal, is out in June and is available to pre-order now!