Netflix and Higher Ground win rights to SA Cosby book ‘King of Ashes’
A highly competitive auction has been raging for weeks over the adaptive rights to SA Cosby’s new novel ‘King of Ashes’, and we have a winner.
Netflix, Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground emerged victorious from as many as 11 competing bids, multiple sources familiar with the deal said Variety. Amblin and Higher Ground will develop the book – described as a family crime drama – as a TV series, with support from Netflix.
Spielberg got personally involved to help the author cross the finish line in recent days, two sources added. Representatives from all three companies did not immediately return calls Variety requests for comments.
Veteran agent Lucy Stille represented Cosby in the sales process on behalf of Josh Getzler at HG Literary. The author’s popularity has exploded in recent years, as has his brand of Southern crime fiction. His previous works include ‘My Darkest Prayer’, ‘Blacktop Wasteland’, ‘Razorblade Tears’ and ‘All the Sinners Bleed’. The latter is already in development with Amblin and Higher Ground, announced in June as a new crime series.
“King of Ashes,” which others involved in the auction noted contained hints at “The Godfather,” won’t hit shelves until next summer. The title will debut on the new Flatiron Books imprint Pine & Cedar. It will be the first of a three-book deal he has signed at Flatiron.
