The Reader by Charles Baugniet, n.d.
September is my birthday month, and this year I received a fantastic gift—a three-book deal with Berkley! Berkley is an imprint of Penguin Random House, and the home of some of my favorite authors, including superstars like Amanda Quick, Deanna Raybourn, and Mary Balogh. I’m so honored to join the Berkley family.
This all happened rather quickly earlier this month. I’ve been bursting with excitement ever since. There aren’t many publishers I would trust with one of my novels, but Sarah Blumenstock, my new editor at Berkley, really understood my story and was as excited about it as I am.
Now that the official announcement has been released in Publishers Marketplace, I can finally share the news!
When the offer came, my parents picked up a lemon cointreau cake from our local bakery, opened a split of champagne, and helped me celebrate what may be the best pre-birthday present I’ve ever received.
The Siren of Sussex is the story of Ahmad Malik, an Anglo-Indian tailor and habitmaker in 1860s London, and Evelyn Maltravers, the bold, bluestocking equestrienne who becomes his love and his muse. It contains all of my favorite Victorian things—fashion, romance, history, and horses. It will even have a familiar character or two. In fact, you may remember Ahmad from my Parish Orphans of Devon series. I always planned for him to be the hero of his own story. The Siren of Sussex will be out in Spring 2022.
About Mimi Matthews
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.
