Isabel J. Kim’s debut novel Sublimation was picked up by Universal International Studios for a potential adaptation for TV, despite the book not officially being released.
Universal Studio Group’s Creative Acquisitions and Intellectual Property (IP) Management team, headed by Jordan Moblo, worked to secure the rights to Kim’s novel, according to Deadline. Her book is a part of a seven-figure three-book deal for the North American publishing rights.
The deal was managed by Macmillan’s Tor Publishing Group Senior Editor Carl Engle-Laird and Assemble Media’s Steven Salpeter, who is President of Literary and IP, Deadline reported.
The novel is a speculative psychological thriller about two women, separated through immigration, who were “at odds over whether they can again share a life,” according to Reactor. Their struggles in the novel come to a head when the character Soyoung, who lives in Korea, wants to steal the life of Rose, who immigrated to the U.S.
“From the very first page, you feel drawn to these characters and this world that explores such rich themes through this paradoxical existence that Isabel has captured so sublimely,” said Kelsey Balance, SVP, Global Scripted Series, Universal International Studios, to Deadline. “It’s staggering that this is her first novel as it’s so compelling but also so fresh and creative. We can’t wait to bring her vision to audiences around the globe.”
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Based in New York City, Kim is a Korean American speculative, science fiction and horror writer.
She is also a Shirley Jackson Award-winner with several notable stories including Why Don’t We Just Kill the Kid in the Omelas Hole, Deadline reported.
“I’m delighted to be working with Universal International Studios and Assemble Media on the TV adaptation of my debut novel, Sublimation,” said Kim to Deadline. “The creative team shared a vision of Sublimation’s adaption that really impressed me and felt true to the world of my novel. I’m so excited to be working with them on the project.”
The project is still being developed, so there is no official news of a TV adaption at this time, Reactor reported.
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