Canelo grows its romantasy list with queer Welsh-inspired trilogy

Editorial director Emily Bedford has acquired World English language rights to a new fantasy romance series by Elian J Morgan from John Baker at Bell Lomax Moreton Agency in a three-book deal.

For everyone who wished BBC’s Merlin had been a little bit more gay – Princeweaver is for you! Born with forbidden, nature-infused magic in an occupied land, anxious apothecary Meilyr survives by keeping his head down. So when he ends up engaged to invading Prince Osian in order to save his brother’s life, he unwittingly enters a deadly game of cat and mouse to hide his true self. As nobles in Osian’s court are gruesomely murdered by the same magic that flows through his veins, Meilyr must choose between his homeland and his husband…

Elian J Morgan is a Netherlands-born, queer British author living by the sea with their partner and dog. They have studied bones, folklore, history and death at universities around the world, and followed their love of mountains to Japan, where they worked as an English Language teacher. They adore writing romantic fantasy, particularly with a focus on language and identity. Princeweaver is their debut novel.

Emily Bedford says: ‘Defiant, lyrical and sweepingly romantic – I gobbled up Princeweaver in a day and couldn’t put my Kindle down until the cliffhanger ending, which left me in tears and desperate for book two. Elian has crafted an entrancing fantasy romance and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with them on their series. The themes of this story hit hard in these times, but the tenderness of Meilyr and Osian’s romance, coupled with the cosiness of nature magic, make this an effortlessly stunning read.’

Elian J Morgan says: ‘Emily and Canelo’s enthusiasm won me over the instant we hopped on a call. Their belief in this series and in me has been immeasurably heartfelt, and quite literally the stuff of dreams! I am hugely lucky to have found a home with them, thanks to my indomitable first agent Alice Caprio, and the tireless support of my current agent John Baker. I know they’re the perfect champions for Meilyr and Osian’s story. Princeweaver is my love letter to the Celtic folklore and Arthuriana I grew up with – but make it even queerer! A second-world twist on the fallout of the English conquest of Wales, it centres love and hope defying the odds, and the inherent rebellion of being your true authentic self.’

John Baker says: ‘Elian’s Princeweaver is a gorgeous romantasy and wonderfully Welsh, it is such a privilege to be able to continue the work that the incomparable Alice Caprio started. Emily and the rest of the brilliant Canelo team are the perfect team to give this extraordinary new series the launch it so richly deserves*.*’

Princeweaver will be published in April 2026, in hardback and ebook, with mass market paperback to follow, and Princebreaker to come in 2027. For more information please contact [email protected].