Kate Parkin and Margaret Stead of Firefinch are delighted to announce the acquisition of world all language rights from Marianne Gunn O’Connor Literary Agency of Marian of Sherwood, a new novel by Anya Bergman – author of the international bestselling novels The Witches of Vardø and The Tarot Reader of Versailles.

Marian of Sherwood is a powerful evocation of the Maid Marian story, steeped in the history, mythology and folklore of the era. Marian of Sherwood reimagines Arthurian legend, interweaved with the stories of forgotten women from the past. Set against the backdrop of the civil war triggered by the Magna Carta in 1215, the story blends fabulism with history to celebrate female solidarity and empowerment, challenging the notion of the chivalrous medieval knights. Part folk horror, part feminist love story, part heroine’s quest, Anya brings Marian’s original mythology to life in rich, sumptuous detail.

Margaret Stead said: ‘Kate and I are over the moon to be working with Anya again on her new novel, Marian of Sherwood. Blending ancient folklore and mythology with her own brilliant imagination, Anya has created a propulsive and vivid retelling of Marian of Sherwood, putting the women at the heart of this epic story.’ 

Anya Bergman said: ‘It’s a dream come true to be published by Firefinch and join their thrilling new venture in publishing.  Having worked with Kate and Margaret before, I feel so lucky and very honoured to be one of their inaugural authors. I am beyond excited that my debut with Firefinch will be a historical fantasy novel, reimagining Marian of Sherwood Forest, filled with the folklore and mysticism that I love exploring in my writing.’

Marianne Gunn O’Connor said: ‘I am so happy for Anya to be reunited with Kate & Margaret at  Firefinch: they have been such stellar and passionate champions of her writing from the beginning. I’m looking forward to another adventure with them and the Firefinch team, as we publish Anya’s extraordinary and original take on Marian of Sherwood.’

Marian of Sherwood by Anya Bergman will be published by Firefinch Publishing in December 2026

We’re thrilled to share that The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Firefinch author Christy Lefteri has been named one of Amazon’s best books of the past 25 years. First published in 2019, it has been picked as one of the 25 best books that take you around the world: view the list here

The Beekeeper of Aleppo was a Sunday Times bestseller on publication and has since been adapted into a play. Christy Lefteri is the author of four novels to date, with her fifth novel due to be published by Firefinch Books in 2026.