British author Callie Hart has secured a seven-figure film deal with Netflix for her dark romantasy novel, Quicksilver, following a viral marketing campaign on TikTok, per parade.com.
Originally self-published in June 2024 after being rejected by traditional industry gatekeepers, the novel subsequently reached number one on both The New York Times and The Sunday Times bestseller lists.
Hart, a veteran of the dark romance genre with over 40 titles, pivoted to fantasy despite warnings from her literary agent and reader groups. After refusing requests to significantly restructure the manuscript, she released the 600-page book independently on June 4. When initial sales proved sluggish, Hart sent copies to 30 “BookTok” creators, sparking a surge in interest that generated over three million views within eight weeks.
The resulting digital momentum triggered a competitive auction involving 10 bidders for the trilogy’s publishing rights. Forever, an imprint of Grand Central, secured the deal and released a traditional edition on December 3, 2024. Netflix acquired the adaptation rights that same month, appointing Hart as executive producer to ensure the cinematic version remains faithful to the source material.
The narrative follows Saeris Fane, a thief who discovers alchemical powers while attempting to survive in a desert kingdom. After accidentally opening a portal between realms, she is transported to a frozen Fae world where she is used as a political pawn in a war against a vampire king. The story explores her reluctant alliance with a Fae warrior named Kingfisher.
The success of Quicksilver has established the Fae & Alchemy series as a major franchise. The second instalment, Brimstone, was released on November 18, 2025, while the final volume of the trilogy is scheduled for publication later in 2026.
•Featured image: Callie Hart attends the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books/Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
