February 27, 2025 (press release) –
Publication Set for Late 2025 in Andrzej Sapkowski’s Globally Bestselling Series
NEW YORK and LONDON (February 27, 2025) — Gollancz, an imprint of the Orion Publishing Group, and Orbit US, part of Hachette Book Group USA, are delighted to have acquired a brand-new standalone novel in the internationally bestselling series THE WITCHER, by acclaimed Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The Witcher series is a global phenomenon, translated into over 40 languages, with over 30 million books sold worldwide since the series launched with a short story in 1986.
In what is expected to be one of the biggest fantasy publishing events of the year, Gollancz and Orbit will be publishing the novel simultaneously in the English language throughout the world in all print and digital formats alongside over 19 international publishers releasing translations into their respective languages, all on September 30, 2025. [List of international publishers at the bottom.]
The major 7-figure deal with Patricia Pasqualini of the Patricia Pasqualini Literary Agency (PPLA), Sapkowski’s long-term agent, was reached by Marcus Gipps, Publishing Director at Gollancz, and Tim Holman, President and Publisher at Orbit.
CROSSROADS OF RAVENS (ROZDROŻE KRUKÓW) is a perfect entry point for new readers, and an unmissable must-read for longtime fans. This standalone novel follows an eighteen-year-old Geralt of Rivia, the iconic Witcher who has captivated audiences across 8 books, numerous short stories, the record-breaking video games by CD Projekt Red, and Netflix’s hit series—all called The Witcher. On his first mission from the Witcher stronghold of Kaer Morhen, Geralt will discover monsters, traitors, some new friends and some familiar faces, and just how deeply feared and despised Witchers can be. This landmark publication, the first new Witcher novel published in English in 7 years, will be supported by a coordinated global release. Hachette will be working with the PPLA and its other international publishing partners to make it a global publishing event.
Crossroads of Ravens will be translated by David French, who previously translated 6 of the 8 Witcher books. French is also working on new translations of the first 2 titles in the series, The Last Wish and Blood of Elves, slated for publication in 2026.
David Shelley, CEO of both Hachette UK and US, said: “We’re very proud at Hachette to be the global English language publisher, at Gollancz and Orbit, for this landmark publication. The Witcher is one of the most loved and most successful literary creations, and its millions of fans will be thrilled by this long-awaited new installment.”
The author, Andrzej Sapkowski, said: “In Rozdroże Kruków, I return to the roots of Geralt’s journey—not the fearless monster slayer we know, but a young Witcher just beginning to understand the burden of his destiny. Imagine Geralt, but younger, with fewer scars and a bit more haughtiness. This is a story of growth, of idealism meeting harsh reality, and of choices that forge a legend. It’s about finding your place in a world that’s constantly challenging you to be more than you thought you could be. As this new story finds its way to readers across the globe this year, I can’t wait for them to walk alongside a younger Geralt—experiencing the trials that forged him and the journey that set him on the road to his destiny.”
About Andrzej Sapkowski
Andrzej Sapkowski is one of the most influential voices in modern fantasy, best known as the internationally bestselling author of the Witcher series and the Hussite Trilogy. What began as a short story about the Witcher, Geralt, has grown into one of the most celebrated fantasy franchises of all time. Translated into over 40 languages with more than 30 million copies sold, The Witcher remains a global phenomenon, captivating new generations of readers.
Praised for its morally complex characters, intricate plots, and sharp dialogue, the Witcher series blends political intrigue, folklore, and high-stakes adventure, redefining modern fantasy. Sapkowski’s Hussite Trilogy, set during the 15th-century Hussite Wars, further showcases his ability to merge history with fantasy.
He has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the David Gemmell Legend Award (2009) and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement (2016). In 2024, Forbes named the Witcher one of the 30 greatest book series of all time. The franchise has since expanded into a global multimedia phenomenon, with CD Projekt Red’s landmark video games and Netflix’s hit adaptations reaching an even wider audience.
About Orbit
Orbit is a division of Hachette Book Group, comprising the Orbit, Redhook, Orbit Works, and Run For It imprints. Launched in 2007, Orbit has established itself as one of the market-leading speculative fiction publishers in the US. Orbit US authors include New York Times bestsellers Joe Abercrombie, Iain M. Banks, James S. A. Corey, Rachel Gillig, Alix E. Harrow, N. K. Jemisin, Ann Leckie, Kim Stanley Robinson, Andrzej Sapkowski, Brent Weeks, and Hannah Whitten. Learn more at orbitbooks.net.
About Hachette Book Group Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a leading U.S. general-interest book publisher made up of dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group, Grand Central Publishing Group, Hachette Audio, Little, Brown and Company, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Orbit and Workman Running Press Group. We also provide custom distribution, fulfillment, and sales services to other publishing companies.
Our books and authors have received the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Peace Prize and other major honors.
We are committed to diversity in our company and our publishing programs, and to fostering a culture of inclusion for all our employees and authors. We are proud to be part of Hachette Livre, the world’s third-largest trade and educational publisher.
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For US PR enquiries please contact Ellen Wright: ellen.wright@hbgusa.com. For UK PR enquires please contact Jenna Petts: jenna.petts@orionbooks.co.uk For Author’s PR enquiries please contact Mirette El Rafie: Mirette@elrafieinternational.com
List of Publishers:
- Brazil Editora WMF Martins Fontes
- Bulgaria Ciela
- Croatia EGMONT d.o.o.
- Czech Republic Leonardo
- Egypt Aser Al Kotob
- Finland WSOY
- France Editions Bragelonne
- Germany dtv Verlag
- Greece SEΛINI
- Hungary GABO
- Italy Casa Editrice Nord (GeMS Group)
- Japan Hayakawa Shobo
- Netherlands Meulenhoff Boekerij
- Portugal Edições Saída de Emergência
- Romania Nemira
- Serbia Čarobna knjiga
- Slovakia Albatros Media Slovakia
- Slovenia Mladinska Knjiga
- Sweden Gondol, Albert Bonniers
- UK Gollancz, Orion Publishing Group
- USA Orbit US, Hachette Book Group USA
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Contact:
Ellen Wright, Publicity Director
212-364-1137 | ellen.wright@hbgusa.com
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