FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Navah Wolfe at DAW Books Acquires Sophie Burnham’s Groundbreaking Trilogy, SARGASSA

New York, NY (September 19, 2023): DAW Books is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Sargassa, the first book of a riveting new trilogy from debut author Sophie Burnham. Set in an alternate North America called Roma Sargassa, where the Roman Empire never fell, readers will plunge into a landscape of political intrigue, queer romance, and impending revolution. The acquisition encompassed three books with World English rights and was agented by Maria Napolitano at the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

In Sargassa, the Imperial Historian’s murder ignites a gripping tale that explores gender, sexuality, racism, and classism within an empire teetering on the brink of rebellion. With thematic echoes of Arkady Martine’s A Memory Called Empire and Rebecca Roanhorse’s Black Sun, Sargassa provides a fresh, nuanced take on the imperfections of a seemingly utopian society.

Executive Editor Navah Wolfe expressed immense enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “Sophie’s impressive worldbuilding, compelling characters, and insightful social commentary make Sargassa an exceptional addition to DAW’s repertoire. We are immensely excited to introduce their work to the world.”

In the book, North America has always been under Roman rule, and the death of the Imperial Historian thrusts his children, Selah and Arran, into the heart of a conspiracy. An underground rebel faction seeks to obtain the Iveroa Stone and use its secrets to reveal the empire’s obscured past and dethrone its dominion. As Selah works to unlock the Stone’s enigmas, she faces a monumental decision: to uphold or challenge the historical narratives of the Roman rule in Sargassa.

Sargassa is perfect for readers who enjoyed A Master of Djinn by P. Djeli Clark (Tor, 2021), The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (Random House, 2020), and recent work from Arkady Martine and Rebecca Roanhorse.

Sophie Burnham is a queer nonbinary novelist and screenwriter, backed by an Acting BFA and a concentration in Playwriting from Syracuse University. Honored with a We Need Diverse Books writing grant and a placement in ScreenCraft’s 2020 Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenplay competition, Burnham’s debut novel promises to enthrall and enlighten readers. Follow them on Twitter at @sophielburnham.