Tor UK conjures three-book cat fantasy deal
Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of A Sorcerer’s Tail plus two untitled novels by Victor Konara. Michael Beale acquired UK & Commonwealth rights, excl. Canada, plus foreign language rights. North American rights to Diana M. Pho at Erewhon Books. Both by Stevie Finegan at Zeno Agency Ltd.
Art the Cat used to be human. And he used to be a wizard of great renown. But now, through no fault of his own, he’s been turned into a feline and is looking for any way to undo this catastrophe. Teaming up with a well-meaning but dim paladin knight called Gary, he will scam and scheme his way across the country to get what he wants.
Art the Cat used to be human. And he used to be a wizard of great renown. But now, through no fault of his own, he’s been turned into a feline and is looking for any way to undo this catastrophe. Teaming up with a well-meaning but dim paladin knight called Gary, he will scam and scheme his way across the country to get what he wants.
Set within a unique Sri Lanka-inspired fantasy world, A Sorcerer’s Tail channels the humour of T. Kingfisher and Travis Baldree with the chaotic shenanigans of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. This is the first book in The Art of Magic series.
Victor Konara says: ‘Over the years, A Sorcerer's Tail has taken on many forms – a brief short story for a friend; an unseen homage to Terry Pratchett, Diana Wynne Jones, Tom Holt, and T. Kingfisher; a potential audio drama; even an exercise to keep myself sane during the recent crises in Sri Lanka. I'm so very happy that it's now here in its final form, shaped and shepherded by Diana Pho, Stevie Finegan, and Michael Beale, who fell in love with Art and Gary the same way I did. I hope it brings everyone joy.’
Diana Pho says: ‘Art the Cat and Gary the Paladin have lived in my brain for a while, ever since this story was pitched as an audio drama years before while I worked as a podcast producer. Through the unique kismet of book publishing, now is the right time and place to present Art and Gary’s clever schemes to the world. A perfect read for fans of Critical Role and Terry Pratchett, A Sorcerer’s Tail is truly a laugh-out-loud frolic for the adventurer at heart.’
Michael Beale says: ‘Art the Cat had me in his paws within seconds and is an absolute scoundrel of a protagonist. A Sorcerer’s Tail is a rollicking, jaunty adventure made unique by its fantastic setting and the friendship at its core. I can’t wait for readers to meet Art and Gary in 2027.’
Stevie Finegan comments: ‘I am absolutely delighted that A Sorcerer's Tail has found such a fabulous home on both sides of the pond. Diana has been a champion of this project from the very beginning and Michael instantly clicked with it. He will be the perfect editor to bring this cosy Sri Lankan fantasy to a UK/Comm market and make sure it finds the readers of Legends & Lattes and T. Kingfisher that are desperate for their next fantasy caper.’
Tor UK and Erewhon Books will simultaneously publish A Sorcerer’s Tail in Spring 2027.
Author photo credit: Tineeka De Silva