Zaffre, the flagship adult commercial fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has created a new identity for its growing community of science fiction and fantasy readers. Zaffre Dawn will offer exclusive, subscriber-only fan content including author Q&As and interviews, competitions, events, news and more as it continues to expand its SFF list.
Zaffre Dawn is for everyone: there will be a home for readers within the book trade, such as booksellers, reviewers, influencers and industry professionals, as well as consumers. YALC this November will herald Zaffre Dawn’s first consumer-targeted in-person activity with further reader-focused events planned for 2026. Zaffre Dawn has its own newsletter, logo and campaign team as part of the recent launch of influencer community ‘Bonnier Hive’ and will have a dedicated broadcast channel on Instagram.
Zaffre launched its new adult SFF list in May last year with the instant Sunday Times, New York Times and USA Today bestseller Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland, a crossover adventure fantasy pitched as Six of Crows meets Kill Bill. The list now includes an urban contemporary fantasy in the vein of Terry Pratchett, Acts of Cupidity by Cornwall-based debut author E.S. Drake; the self-published dragon-filled romantasy sensation Fear the Flames, and its sequel Wrath of the Dragons, by Olivia Rose Darling;and the adult debut from AdriAnne May, Exquisite Ruin,a dark romantic retelling of the Minotaur myth.
In autumn this year, Zaffre will publish its first science fiction title, Local Heavens by K. M. Fajardo, a queer cyberpunk reimagining of The Great Gatsby, as well as the fae-filled backlist of Tessonja Odette, whose dark romantasy The Lies That Summon the Night was pre-empted ahead of the London Book Fair in March. Zaffre will continue to support debut writers by publishing Pablo Valcárcel Castro’s expansive and lyrical Dream of the Jet-Black City and Becky Jenkinson’s charming and cosy fantasy romance Wildflower,next year. Zaffre’s first translated fantasy title, The 25.00 Magic Lantern Express by Shim Eunjung and Choi Hyunyu, and the opening in a brand-new epic vampire series by experienced author David Hair complete the current programme for 2026.
Editorial Director Kelly Smith has been at the helm of Zaffre’s SFF publishing and said: “I’m incredibly proud of our achievements so far and the creation of the Zaffre Dawn community is the natural next step in our growth plans. There are so many exciting things in the pipeline to help connect our brilliant authors with the wonderful readers and champions we work with, so watch this space – we rise at dawn.”
Those interested in joining the community are encouraged to sign up directly at this link or find Zaffre Dawn on social media via @zaffrebooks (Instagram and X) and @bonnierbooksuk_ on TikTok.
