Niall Leonard, the Newry-raised husband of best-selling Fifty Shades of Grey author EL James, has agreed a book deal and will publish his first novel for young adults later this year.
The Press Association reports that James – real name Erika Leonard – challenged her screenwriter husband, whose credits include TV's Wild at Heart and Wire in the Blood, to write his own book.
He wrote Crusher in a month and planned to self-publish it, but his wife mentioned the book to her publishers and they subsequently offered Niall Leonard a three-book deal.
Crusher tells the story of teenager Finn Maguire, a school dropout who must prove he did not murder his stepfather – and catch the killer.
Annie Eaton, fiction publisher for Random House Children's Publishers UK, said: "This electrifying story took my breath away. Niall's writing is immensely assured, he is a fantastic new voice for teenagers and this is a truly exciting acquisition for RHCP [Random House Children's Publishers]."
Leonard said: "Crusher is a story I have wanted to write for years, and it finally all came together last November, when my wife encouraged me to take part in the NaNoWriMo [National Novel Writing Month] novel-writing event.
"I am thrilled and delighted that RHCP have picked up Crusher for publication, and it's a fantastic honour to join the distinguished names on their writers' list."
