> Skip to content

News  •  9 November 2018

 

Erin Morgenstern returns with new book The Starless Sea

The author of the international bestselling novel, The Night Circus returns in 2019 with a magical, timeless and wholly original love story set in a secret underground world.

We are excited to announce the acquisition of the long-awaited novel from Erin Morgenstern, The Starless Sea. Morgenstern’s previous novel, The Night Circus (published in 2011) sold over 3 million copies worldwide and was translated into an impressive 37 languages.

The Night Circus stormed into the bestseller list on publication and was nominated for numerous awards. It also spent several months on the New York Times bestseller list. A feature film of The Night Circus is currently in development with Lionsgate, along with a stage play. The Starless Sea contains all the hallmarks of Morgenstern’s critically acclaimed first novel  – magic, mystery and inimitable imagination – and brings them to life in a richly layered and entirely new story.

Speaking of the release, Liz Foley, Publishing Director of Harvill Secker, commented: 'From the first page of this exhilarating and glorious book I was transported to the unique world which only Erin could have created. I could not let go of Zachary’s story until the very last, intensely moving, page and so many scenes and characters are vividly imprinted in my memory. Erin’s imaginative powers are unparalleled and this is a truly immersive, epic book about storytelling itself. After the wonder of The Night Circus, it’s incredible to have a novel that even exceeds that one in its flair, richness and ingenuity. Nothing else like it will be published next year.'

Erin Morgenstern studied theater and studio art at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, graduating in 2000. In addition to writing, she paints, collects jewellery made from skeleton-keys and loves cats. 'When I started working on my new novel,' says Erin, 'I thought I was writing a book about books but as it turns out I was writing a book about stories.  Stories and choices and change and also time and fate and video games.'

More information about Erin can be found on her website erinmorgenstern.com.

More features

See all
Article
Better Reading’s Top 100 books of 2025 announced

We’re happy to share that an impressive twenty-five Penguin Random House titles made the list this year.

Article
10 of the best fantasy books you don't want to miss

Check out some of the best fantasy books with unique magic systems.

Article
Better Reading’s Top 100 books of 2024 announced

Penguin Random House is proud to have twenty-four titles on the list this year.

Article
5 things to know about the new book from The Night Circus author Erin Morgenstern

Here’s everything you need to know about The Starless Sea, the spellbinding new novel from Erin Morgenstern.

Activity
The Starless Sea quiz

Are you an Acolyte, a Guardian or a Keeper? Take this quiz to find out!

News
Announcing the recipients of the Penguin Children's Bookseller Grant

See which bookstores have been named recipients of the Penguin Children’s Bookseller Grant.

News
Wild Dark Shore wins Dymocks Book of the Year 2025

In exciting news, Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy has been named Dymocks Book of the Year 2025.

News
Write It Fellowship recipients 2025

We're delighted to announce the recipients of the 2025 Write It Fellowship: Dayle Fogarty, Naomi Fogarty and Violet Marr.

News
Flesh by David Szalay wins the Booker Prize 2025

Propulsive and hypnotic, Flesh asks profound questions about what drives a life: what makes it worth living, and what breaks it.

News
Penguin Random House Australia celebrates huge milestone: 10 million Bluey books sold and counting!

Today, Penguin Random House Australia (PRH AU) celebrates an incredible milestone of over 10 million Bluey books sold across 100 titles in the book range available in Australia and New Zealand.

News
Mary Colussi wins the $20,000 Penguin Literary Prize 2025 for Touch Grass

Penguin Random House Australia is thrilled to announce Touch Grass by Mary Colussi as the winner of the Penguin Literary Prize 2025.

News
Penguin Random House acquires new Rachael Johns and Mercedes Mercier book series

The first book in the co-written series, The Number One Insta Detectives Agency, will be published in 2026.

Looking for more news?

See all news
penguin pop image
penguin pop image