Novelist Kim Keum-hee's second essay collection, "Diary of a Korean Plant Parent: Four Seasons of Growth," has secured overseas publication deals with a British publisher, Munhakdongne Publishing announced Tuesday.
Scribner UK, the British imprint of Simon & Schuster, triumphed in a six-way auction for the book. It is reported that the preemptive advance is a six-figure deal (or nine figures in Korean won).
Rights have also been sold to DTV (Germany), Planeta (Spain), Cargo (Netherlands) and Foksal (Poland).
The publisher described the book as a “life-affirming and personal exploration of love and loss, and how caring for plants season after season can enrich your life.” The Korean title translates to "Vegetative Optimism."
"The year 2025 is a time when the wisdom of each individual is needed more. I hope the stories of plants, which unfold their condensed wisdom by conforming to the order of growth, will make readers a little more optimistic," said Kim.
The English edition will be translated by award-winning literary translator Clare Richards, and is set for release in spring 2027.
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com
