Best-selling author Joanne Harris has signed a substantial six-figure two book deal - the first of which is a fantasy novel based on Norse mythology.

 

The Orion publishing group, has secured world rights, including audio and translation, for ‘The Gospel of Loki’  which will be published in hardback in February 2014 and will be backed by a major marketing and publicity campaign.

 

The Barnsley-born novelist, 48, worked as a teacher before turning to writing full time and is married with a daughter.

 

Joanne, who was made an MBE last month, said: "It is always nice for the world of literature when writers get an acknowledgement or an honour. It gets the message to people that writing is important and that it deserves praise.”

 

Her books have been published in more than 40 countries and topped the best-seller lists after the 1999 publication of Chocolat, which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.

 

She has written more than 15 books ranging from novels to fantasy and gothic horror and is also the co-author of two cookbooks.

 

Her latest paperback just published is Peaches for Monsieur le Cur - the third novel dealing with the characters who featured in Chocolat.

 

Joanne said:"There may be more about the character Vianne some day; we are linked, she and I, in ways that I don’t always fully understand.

 

"I’m connected to all my characters, of course, but somehow Vianne Rocher is the one who keeps dropping in unexpectedly, embroiling me in her affairs, often against my better judgement, and demanding my time and attention."

 

Joanne is also working on his third cookbook- this one will feature recipes that include chocolate.