New Deal: ZIRKI by Royce Buckingham

Royce Buckingham’s latest novel, ZIRKI, has been acquired by Holger Kappel at Blanvalet (Germany).

From the author of DEMON KEEPER and MONSTER LAWYER, ZIRKI follows a young Octopudinal peasant boy as he rises from the streets of Proxima to become the greatest showman in the land of Atterall. Packed with humour, danger, and heart—three of them, in fact—ZIRKI is a full-circle adventure filled with quirky characters and unforgettable moments. 

Royce Buckingham is represented by Natasha Mihell.

New Deal: The Unusual Auctioneer

THE UNUSUAL AUCTIONEER, written by Arlan Ettinger and illustrated by Barry Blitt, has been acquired by Sourcebooks for publication in spring 2026.

A memoir from the founder of Guernsey’s, THE UNUSUAL AUCTIONEER traces the rise of his upstart auction house in the 1970s and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how we define—and redefine—what we value.

Arlan Ettinger is represented by Trisha Telep.

New Deal: Napping Baba by Roger Lam

Crown Books for Young Readers has acquired world rights to NAPPING BABA by Roger Lam, illustrated by Alina Chau—a charming "Sleeping Beauty" retelling about an energetic boy and his very tired dad.

Set to publish in spring 2027, this sweet and funny picture book explores caregiving, patience, and love across generations.

Author represented by Tasneem Motala while at TRF; illustrator represented by Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency.