Bonnier Zaffre has acquired the first ever memoir from the global bestselling Wilbur Smith, entitled On Leopard Rock.
Mark Smith, C.E.O. of Bonnier Zaffre, acquired world rights from Kevin Conroy Scott at Tibor Jones.
Wilbur Smith is a global phenomenon: a distinguished author with a large and established readership built up over fifty-five years of writing with sales of over 130 million novels worldwide.
Born in Central Africa in 1933, Wilbur Smith became a full-time writer in 1964 following the success of When the Lion Feeds, and has since published over thirty novels, including the Courtney series, the Ballantyne series, the Egyptian series, the Hector Cross series and many successful standalone novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books have now been translated into twenty-six languages.
Kate Parkin, Executive Director at Bonnier Zaffre, said: ‘On Leopard Rock is magnificent! Every bit as epic as one of Wilbur’s novels, I could hardly have enjoyed it more. From rampaging lions and bears in Alaska to diving with sharks and adventures with marlin, this is not just the story of a writer of adventure – this is the story of a life of adventure. To have this just as we embark on our Wilbur Smith publishing adventure is a huge privilege. We’ll be launching it for Father’s Day and I can think of no better gift than this. We are all very proud to be publishing it.’
Wilbur Smith said: ‘I’ve been writing novels for over fifty years. I was lucky enough to miss the big wars and not get shot, but lucky enough to grow up among the heroes who had served in them and learn from their example. I have lucked into things continuously. I have done things which have seemed appalling at the time, disastrous even, but out of them have come another story or a deeper knowledge of human character and the ability to express myself better on paper, write books which people enjoy reading. Along the way, I have lived a life that I could never have imagined. I have been privileged to meet people from all corners of the globe, I have been wherever my heart has desired and in the process my books have taken readers to many, many places. I always say I’ve started wars, I’ve burned down cities, and I’ve killed hundreds of thousands of people – but only in my imagination!’
Bonnier Zaffre will publish On Leopard Rock in May 2018.
For all the latest information on Wilbur visit www.wilbursmithbooks.com or www.facebook.com/WilburSmith