As if Lykewise‘s launch this month wasn’t enough to fret and whoop about, I’m chuffed to announce that Thirst will be coming out in France and the USA this October! Just in time for Hallow’s Eve.

Thirst will be published stateside by Pushkin Press on 6 October. And as a bonus, US readers can pre-order Thirst from 9-11 September at a 25% discount!

If you’re one such stateside reader and fancy the look of that discount, simply order Thirst from Barnes & Noble as a rewards member (membership is free) and use the code PREORDER25 at checkout.

I’ve been astonished at the response Thirst has already been getting in the USA, including starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Here’s what they said:

“This dark and deep tale of a river and the villagers who will do anything for it introduces North American readers to acclaimed British author Simpson… Simpson’s writing evokes that of Stephen King with the creepiness surrounding the Yeelde and the focus on a small community that distrusts outsiders… Folk horror at its finest.”
Kirkus Reviews

“Eerie, atmospheric prose twines mounting supernatural dread with keen psychological insight, exploring how fear, loyalty, and self-preservation can erode moral certainty. Dark, haunting, and deeply unsettling, this is folk horror at its most immersive.”
Publishers Weekly

Wham, bam, and thank you very much.

Back on the continent, the French edition of Thirst will be published by Éditions Milan on 21 October. Here’s its very tasty cover:

A really interesting take on the original, I think. I haven’t been able to find out who the artists behind this is just yet, but will be sure to credit them down the line on my Instagram account.

So that’s about it. I’ll leave you with a quick heads-up of two events I have on the way: Lykewise‘s launch party at Nottingham Central Library on 24 September (free entry, just register here), plus a fun, spooky workshop I’ll be running for older children and teens at Nottingham’s Waterstones on 30 October (sign up here).

If you happen to be attending either of these, I look forward to meeting you!

Tara for now,
Darren