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Debut YA Novel DEVILS UNTO DUST Optioned For Film Before Publication

Debut author Emma Berquist’s Western horror-thriller has been optioned for film before its publication!

It’s not often that a debut novel sees its film rights sold before the book has even been advertised to readers, but that’s the case for Emma Berquist‘s Devils Unto Dust, which has found a movie home at New Regency film despite that fact that it won’t hit bookshelves until April 2018.

Devils Unto Dust follows 17-year-old protagonist Daisy Wilcox through a reimagined 1870’s West Texas in which a virus has turned people into rage-filled killers called “Shakes.” Daisy is on a quest to find her missing father and hires two “Shake-hunters” to protect her along the way, but the journey still won’t be easy.

“Very occasionally, you read a piece of material that stops you in your tracks. ‘Devils Unto Dust’ is just such a piece and we’re thrilled Emma’s trusting us with adapting,” Producer Nira Park told ComingSoon.net, who shared the news. “Daisy is an utterly compelling heroine – a young woman who does not and cannot give up. The stage Emma has set for her story is distinct and highly evocative. We’re delighted to be partnering with New Regency on this project, who fell for it as fast and hard as we did.”

The novel, set to be published by HarperCollins, is due to hit shelves on April 10, 2018. You can pre-order now via Amazon.

Other YA debuts that had their film rights sold before publication include Angie ThomasThe Hate U Give, Tomi Adeyemi‘s Children of Blood and Bone, and Victoria Aveyard‘s Red Queen.

Ten years ago, a horrifying disease began spreading across the West Texas desert. Infected people—shakes—attacked the living and created havoc and destruction. No one has ever survived the infection. Daisy Wilcox, known as Willie, has been protecting her siblings within the relatively safe walls of Glory, Texas. When Willie’s good-for-nothing father steals a fortune from one of the most dangerous shake-hunters in town, she finds herself on the hook for his debt. With two hunters, including the gruff and handsome Ben, to accompany her, she sets out across the desert in search of her father. But the desert is not kind to travelers, and not everyone will pass through alive.

By Kait

Kait is a New Englander, a YA book and adaptation lover, and a Slythindor, as well as a red velvet and red wine enthusiast. She likes to like things. Catch her on Twitter: @kaitmary