TV Writer Raelle Tucker Sets Debut Novel in Two-Book Deal

Veteran TV scribe and showrunner Raelle Tucker is taking a detour in publishing, setting her debut novel at Crown — part of a two-book deal with the publishing house.

Tucker’s literary launch, Obscura, is described as genre-defying, though clearly there is a bit of low-fantasy play. The summary reads as follows: “The island of Obscura is famed for its beaches, drugs and hedonistic clubs. But hidden on the northern end of the island is a secret community filled with magical beings, unicorns, centaurs and mermen, the only place on earth these creatures can be themselves. When Artemis, the daughter of the haven’s pot dealer and its founder, finds a human on the side of the road, tired of playing by the rules, she decides to save him — but will this one act of defiance will burn everything she holds dear to the ground?”

Earning Emmy, Golden Globe, PGA and WGA nominations for her work, Tucker has written and produced on such series as Supernatural, True Blood, The Returned, Jessica Jones, Sacred Lies and The Power. “Obscura is a story I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell for decades,” she said in a statement. “It fuses my wild, counterculture childhood — growing up on the island of Ibiza in a community of artists, seekers and smugglers — with my love for magical realism, genre and world-building. Obscura is a love letter to outsiders, weirdos and anyone who’s had to hide who they are to survive. I couldn’t ask for better partners than Amy Einhorn and Crown to bring it into the world.”

UTA represented Tucker and closed the two-book deal with Einhorn at Crown (Penguin Random House) in a seven-figure pre-empt for US rights. Rights in the UK were pre-empted by Jorgie Bain at Penguin Michael Joseph (Penguin Random House UK).

“I was completely dazzled,” added Einhorn. “As soon as I read the first page, I knew I was a goner. Tucker hooked me and never let me go — and I’ve never been happier. This is a ride like no other. It’s brilliant, not something I say often (or ever, actually!) I can’t wait till the rest of the world gets to discover Obscura.”

Raelle is represented by UTA and attorney Joel McKuen