Publishers Weekly reported yesterday that HarperCollins bought the U.S. rights for two books by British author Steven J. Watson: his debut work of fiction, Before I Go to Sleep, and a second book, Nine Lives.

From the article: “Watson was discovered by Clare Conville at a Faber Academy workshop. Born in the Midlands and now 39, he works in the diagnosis and treatment of the deaf, but went part-time in order to work on his novel. Nine Lives is a psychological mystery, exploring themes of identity, jealousy and desire.”

Intriguing! The book’s UK publication is set for Spring 2011. This is how it starts, folks.