Zaffre has signed a “landmark” six-book deal with the “queen of saga” Rosie Goodwin. 

Sarah Benton, managing director, and Claire Johnson-Creek, senior editor, will publish the novels, which were originally acquired by Sarah Bauer from Sheila Crowley at Curtis Brown for world rights. Our Fair Lily, the first in a three-book themed series titled The Flower Girls, will be published in February 2024. 

“I am thrilled to see Rosie’s empathetic storytelling continue with Bonnier Books,” said Crowley. ”The renewed focus on her brand and quality stories will grow her market even more.” 

According to Zaffre, Goodwin is the biggest selling saga author in hardback and her books have sold over four million copies. As part of the deal, the publisher is “committing to ambitious new brand-building plans”. 

The synopsis for Our Fair Lily reads: “Lily Moon, the local miner’s daughter, spends her days as a parlour maid for Lord and Lady Bellingham at Oakley Manor, on the outskirts of Nuneaton. She’s always been happy with her lot in life, and never expected more. But one day, everything changes when she temporarily becomes ladies maid to the Bellinghams’ daughter.” 

Goodwin said: “I am absolutely thrilled with acquiring my new contract with my amazing agent Sheila Crowley with my lovely team at Bonnier Zaffre, and I’m very much looking forward to writing another six books for all my readers!”

Benton commented: “I am a huge fan of Rosie Goodwin; she is an absolute superstar on our Zaffre list and I am delighted to work with her for six more wonderful saga novels. Page-turning, heart-breaking and uplifting – nobody does it better than Rosie. We have big plans for her over the next few years.”