News

We are delighted to announce that John Baker has sold World rights, all languages, for Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson’s debut novel The Principle of Moments plus two sequels to Rachel Winterbottom, Senior Commissioning Editor at Gollancz! Publishing in hardback, audio and ebook 21^st July 2022, The Principle of Moments will be a lead title for Gollancz.

Winner of the Gollancz and Rivers of London BAME SFF Award, Jikiemi-Pearson’s stunning debut is a ground-breaking science fiction adventure across time and space that explores injustice in our past, present and future.

Asha Akindele has lived her whole life on Gahraan, just like the rest of humanity, eking out an existence between factory assembly lines and constant terror. Then she discovers she has a sister imprisoned by Emperor Thracin, and is forced to make a choice: remain a slave, or escape and risk everything in the name of family.

With the help of hopeless time-traveller, Obi, who just wants to return home to London, 1812, and his almost-boyfriend, George IV, Asha must travel through the stars in an attempt to save a sister she’s never met, yet vowed to rescue – and in doing so save worlds.

Jikiemi-Pearson said:

‘I’m absolutely over the moon that my spacefaring, century-spanning trilogy has found a home at Gollancz. It feels incredibly special to have been on such a journey with this publisher – one that started all the way back in 2019 when I entered the Rivers of London Award, and has now ended with a book deal. The effort they have made toward diversifying SFF is admirable, and I feel insanely lucky to now count myself as one of their authors.’

Baker said:

‘The Principle of Moments manages to be an incredibly ambitious and challenging, new-era-defining story, whilst also being a rip-roaring goodtime. There couldn’t be a more perfect home for it than with Rachel and Gollancz, who have been a fantastic champion of Esmie’s work from the very beginning.’

Winterbottom said:

‘Esmie’s writing is absolutely jaw-dropping and her imagination is without boundaries. If you loved V.E. Schwab’s reimagined London, the exuberance of Gideon the Ninth, and the found family of Becky Chambers, be prepared for your new obsession. Asha is the hero we all need, and I cannot wait for readers to fall head over heels for Obi.’