Karen M. McManus deal
Berkley Publishing closed a headline two‑book deal to publish YA star Karen M. McManus’s debut adult novels — a clear crossover play that signals more YA authors moving into adult thriller territory. (publishersweekly.com).
The adult debut is titled Dying to Be Us and is scheduled for publication in 2027. (stimolaliterarystudio.com)) Agents Rosemary Stimola and Allison Remcheck handled the sale and say the manuscript was acquired by Jen Monroe at Berkley. (stimolaliterarystudio.com)) Stimola’s announcement describes the transaction as a major, exclusive sale and reports the deal was in the seven‑figure range. (stimolaliterarystudio.com)) Publisher descriptions and retailer listings say Dying to Be Us follows a tight‑knit group of former college friends whose popular YouTube reality show ended in a tragedy that resurfaces twelve years later. (newsbreak.com)) McManus is a #1 New York Times bestselling author best known for One of Us Is Lying, a backlist that has driven significant commercial attention to her move into adult fiction. (karenmcmanus.com)) Jen Monroe, the acquiring editor, is listed on Penguin’s editorial pages as an executive editor at Berkley who specializes in psychological suspense and book‑club fiction. (penguin.com))
