Acquisition announcement: Void Caller by Russell Franklin

Orbit UK has acquired three novels in an epic fantasy trilogy from British author Russell Franklin. Editorial Director James Long acquired UK and Commonwealth Rights from John Ash at Creative Artists Agency UK in a three-book deal.

The first book, Void Caller, is scheduled to publish in July 2027. US rights have also sold to Daniel Ehrenhaft at Blackstone, French rights have sold to Bragelonne, Hungarian rights to Central and Slovak rights to Ikar.

Void Caller is an epic fantasy perfect for fans of Godkiller and The Will of the Many. It tells the story of a mage who commands the power of the stars, and who hunts Void Callers – users of a dark and terrifying form of forbidden magic.

In a vast City built around a sprawling University dedicated to the art of Star Binding, a woman is about to be executed. Her crime is hereditary: she is a Void Caller, possessing dark powers that can have devastating effects. Void Callers are feared, hunted, exterminated as soon as they are discovered, for the longer they draw on their powers the more likely they are to pull in something from the Void, something with a power even more destructive than their own.

Among those watching the execution are the woman’s sister and her infant son, Osian. As the rope drops and the woman dies, the air fills with heat and the telltale scent of flowers and ozone. Someone is Void Calling, and something big is about to make its way into the world… No one could predict that the infant Osian would manifest his powers at such a young age. Hundreds die that day, including the parents of Livia, a young girl watching in the crowd…

Fifteen years later, Osian is part of a travelling theatre troupe, hiding his identity in the knowledge that it could get him killed. The orphaned Livia is the University’s star student, a generational talent determined to put her abilities to use hunting down Void Callers. But strange constellations herald stranger times, and soon both will find themselves in the midst of a war far greater than either of them could have imagined.

Orbit Publisher, Anna Jackson, said: ‘We’re just thrilled to welcome Russell to the Orbit list, as he’s very clearly one of the most exciting new names in epic fantasy. Void Caller is such a dramatic, gripping read, with a magic system that feels really unique. It features one-of-a-kind worldbuilding, incredible, cinematic action sequences and a cast of brilliantly memorable, witty characters. We’re so excited to make this a major release next year that epic fantasy fans will not want to miss.’

Author, Russell Franklin, said: ‘I couldn’t be happier to know Void Caller has found its home with Orbit. Looking at my bookshelf, that distinctive moon and planet logo is everywhere, often on some of my favourite novels, and it’s a genuine thrill to know Void Caller will have that same mark of quality on its spine. James and the whole team loved and understood the book from the first email to the last meeting, and I can’t wait to work with them to bring the best possible story to the world.’

Agent, John Ash, said: ‘Russell Franklin is a remarkable talent—a thrilling storyteller with a gift for conjuring extraordinary worlds and characters you can’t help but care deeply about. He deserves to be a household name.’