Phantom – update | Piece of Paper Press & tonywhite.london

UPDATE: 2 January 2026 — PHANTOM AT THE FEAST was acquired by No Exit Press at Bedford Square Publishers for publication June 2026. This will be followed by a reissue, also on No Exit Press, of previous volume THE FOUNTAIN IN THE FOREST. Read the trade announcment in The Bookseller Magazine of 10 December 2025 here… (The post below from 12 June 2025 will be left online for the record.)

I’m sad to write that my seventh novel Phantom at the Feast – the follow-up to The Fountain in the Forest – won’t now be published in November 2025 as planned. We had to end the publishing agreement with Unbound/Boundless for Phantom at The Feast owing to breach of contract due to non-payment of the signature and delivery advances. It hurts. I’ve lost time, and money I was counting on. But all rights are now back with me – which is a huge relief.

It’s always a great leap of faith when a novel goes out on submission to publishers, particularly since Phantom at the Feast marks the completion of a ten-year project. So it was a thrill to get a great deal very quickly, and to start making exciting plans with an editor I admire. I’m gutted that it’s not to be, but acutely aware that I’m fortunate compared with author and industry colleagues who’ve lost much larger sums. My heart goes out to them, and to everyone affected.

Sincere thanks to those who’ve posted, liked, or messaged in recent months to say how much you’re looking forward to reading the follow-up to The Fountain in the Forest. To everyone that jumped on board with Phantom at the Feast, who offered an advance quote, or got in touch to line up interviews or share events – thank you. I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to pick up these conversations again before too long.

With love and solidarity, Tony

(Photo: Port Meadow, Oxford, 2 January 2025.)