Tor pre-empts 'bloody, lusty' debut historical fantasy
Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of The Red Winter plus another untitled fantasy by Cameron Sullivan. Editorial director Sophie Robinson acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in a joint pre-empt with Ali Fisher at Forge Books in the US from Christabel McKinley at David Higham Associates. ANZ rights were also acquired by Claire Craig at Pan Macmillan Australia, and Andy Hahnemann acquired German language rights for FISCHER Tor.
Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of The Red Winter plus another untitled fantasy by Cameron Sullivan. Editorial director Sophie Robinson acquired UK and British Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in a joint pre-empt with Ali Fisher at Forge Books in the US from Christabel McKinley at David Higham Associates. ANZ rights were also acquired by Claire Craig at Pan Macmillan Australia, and Andy Hahnemann acquired German language rights for FISCHER Tor.
The Red Winter is a debut historical fantasy drawing on the little-known werewolf origin story The Beast of Gevaudan about a small mountain village in 18th-century France that was terrorized by a mysterious creature. Written as a memoir by the immortal narrator Sebastian, it’s full of sorcery, demons, and debauchery, but most of all it’s a love story about one man who will live for ever and the nobleman he fell in love with, but may have made into a monster.
Debut author Cameron Sullivan says: ‘I’ve poured all my passions (good and bad) into this big, romantic, occulted slice of history and I can’t wait to share it. Its characters and their exploits have lived in my head and heart for a few years now and I can’t imagine a better home for them. I’m incredibly excited that we’ll also get to give them life again in a whole new story beyond The Red Winter.’
Sophie Robinson comments: ‘Cameron is an exceptionally talented writer. I couldn’t believe that The Red Winter was a debut when I read it. Full of folklore and original worldbuilding, it’s bloody, lusty, but also a tender love story. Plus, Sebastian is one of the most irresistibly charming monster-hunting narrators I’ve ever come across and I know readers around the world will think so too.’
Christabel McKinley, literary agent at David Higham Associates praises: ‘From the first few pages of The Red Winter, I knew this was going to be an exceptional piece of writing. I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to say that Cam is a once-in-a-decade talent, and The Red Winter is certain to be a future classic. Its epic scope, its wry humour and the fiercely beating heart at its centre will without doubt make an impact on all who read it – and then, ravenously, devour it again.’
Tor UK will publish The Red Winter on 12th August 2025 simultaneously with Pan Macmillan US, Australia and FISCHER Tor.
About the author
Cameron Sullivan was born in Perth, Western Australia. He grew up with the dark fantasy and horror icons of the 80s and went on to study classics and creative writing at the University of Western Australia. After several years working and studying in Italy and the UK, he returned to Australia and settled in Melbourne, which is the best place for Australians who actually enjoy the winter. He works as a copywriter and will easily lose a weekend to a good book, a new recipe or games of any kind, from tabletop DnD to pub trivia.
About Tor UK
Tor UK specializes in speculative fiction and is a destination for the best in imaginative storytelling. A sister company to Tor Books in the US, Tor UK publishes an impressive array of award-winners, bestsellers, household names and talented debut authors. Tor’s mission is to publish out-of-this-world genre fiction and bring readers books that spark joy. It strives every year to increase the diversity of its list, publishing authors from minority backgrounds and increasing positive representation of gender issues through fiction.
About Pan Macmillan
Pan Macmillan is an international consumer book publisher based in the UK, publishing a very broad range of books in all formats, including print, ebook and audio, for today’s readers. Its adult book imprints include Bluebird, Macmillan, Macmillan Business, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Collector’s Library, Mantle, One Boat, Pan, Picador and Tor. Children’s Book imprints include Macmillan Children’s Books, Campbell, Kingfisher and Two Hoots. (www.panmacmillan.com)
Pan Macmillan is part of Macmillan Publishers International Ltd (MPIL), a division of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group (www.holtzbrinck.com), a large family-owned media company based in Stuttgart.