The family of John Creasey, the author of over 600 books and perhaps best known for his series The Toff, about a debonair crime fighter and his butler, has sold the rights to his works to Fleming Literary for a significant six-figure sum.

Managing partner of Fleming Literary Simon Clegg said: “I would describe the sum of money we paid as significant, but the real money will be put into the development and brand management.” Many of Creasey’s books have gone out of print since his death in 1973, and Fleming Literary is looking to re-publish them, either itself or through other publishers.

Publishing the series in new forms of media is vital to attract new fans, Clegg said. A TV series, films and online games are all possibilities. “What we are doing is putting the rights together with the brand and making more of it,” he said, adding that taking the Creasey brand beyond the UK is also necessary for a successful relaunch. Some of his books have already been translated, but deals with foreign publishers need to be “refreshed”, said Clegg. Management of foreign deals will be dealt with by the Buckman Agency, and Clegg is confident that there are “major foreign language markets” for Creasy’s series.

As written in The Bookseller, 05/04/2007