Debut novelist Ian Whates sold UK and US rights to two books to Christian Dunn at Solaris (the mainstream genre imprint of Games Workshops’s BL Publishing) via agent John Jarrold. The first book, The Noise Within, is due to be delivered in October 2009 for 2010 publication, with the sequel following a year later.
Jarrold says the books are “wide-screen SF featuring war in space, AIs, and a mysterious ship that combines them both.” He continues, “this is a terrific deal for Ian. Having read the synopsis and opening section of The Noise Within, I can’t wait to read the finished article.”
Novelist Ian Watson says of Whates: “A bright new star rapidly in the ascendant, Ian Whates’ fluent and engaging stories range from witty humane SF reminiscent of a latterday Bob Shaw, through inventive fantasy, even unto vampiric horror. Ian here turns his highly versatile hand to galaxy-shaking space opera.”
Whates has published short fiction in a number of magazines, and was once shortlisted for the BSFA Award for Best Short Fiction. He signed with Jarrold in September (see this article for more information).