Alastair Reynolds, the author of the Revelation Space series of novels and the recent Arthur C Clarke Award-nominated House Of Suns, has signed an unprecedented book deal with Gollancz worth £1 million.
The story has been one of the UK publishing industry’s worst-kept secrets over the last few months, but today was the first official announcement of the deal, with The Guardian securing exclusivity. “It gives me a huge amount of security for the next ten years,” said Reynolds to the national paper. “And writers don’t have a lot of security. Even at the best of times you’re worrying about the next deadline, the next contract. To have that in place is fantastic for me.”
Born in Wales in 1966, Reynolds studied Physics and Astronomy at university, and worked for the European Space Research And Technology Centre before turning to writing full-time. This new deal will see him write ten novels for the Orion imprint over the course of ten years, which in itself will be something of a remarkable feat. Reynolds, however, is nonplussed by the challenge. “I just let that wash over me,” he said. “Hopefully over the last ten years I’ve demonstrated an ability to deliver books on time.”
Zima Blue, The Prefect and House Of Suns are out now from Gollancz, along with the rest of Reynolds’ back catalogue.
Photograph: Josette Sanchez.
