Viking has won a title by journalist Ed Caesar about marathon running and the race to beat the two-hour barrier, using research and interviews to be conducted around the world.

Viking editorial director Joel Rickett bought UK and Commonwealth rights following a three-round and then best bids auction, with Simon & Schuster and Fourth Estate the underbidders, through Karolina Sutton at Curtis Brown. The publication date is to be confirmed.

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Oneworld has acquired a “bizarre science” non-fiction title to tie into the 30th anniversary of the death of science fiction author Philip K Dick.

Senior commissioning editor Robin Dennis acquired UK rights in Losing the Head of Philip K Dick – A Bizarre but True Tale of Androids, Kill Switches, and Left Luggage by David Dufty from Euan Thorneycroft at A M Heath on behalf of the Mary Cunane Agency.

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Hodder & Stoughton has acquired a new novel from bestselling crime writer John Grisham, with the author calling it his "first baseball novel".

Acquiring editor Oliver Johnson and Hachette UK Group c.e.o. Tim Hely-Hutchinson bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to Calico Joe from David Gernert at The Gernert Company. Hodder will publish on 10th April 2012.

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Angry Robot has books by two debut authors following its "Open Door Month", in which un-agented authors could submit their works directly to the publisher.

Editor Lee Harris negotiated both deals, each for world rights and a minimum of two books, with the authors. Harris signed the first deal with Cassandra Rose Clarke for her books, The Mad Scientist's Daughter and The Assassin's Curse.

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AA Publishing has bought a comedy title which rewrites the Highway Code penned by the co-founder of the humour magazine the Chap.

Editorial director Helen Brocklehurst bought world English language rights from Susan Smith at MBA Literary Agents to the title, The Gentleman's Guide to Motoring by Vic Darkwood. The AA plans to publish in time for Father's Day in June 2012.

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Hilary Mantel will turn her attention to the downfall of Anne Boleyn, after Fourth Estate bought the follow-up to her Man Booker prizewinning Wolf Hall.

Publishing director Nicholas Pearson bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to Bring Up the Bodies from Bill Hamilton at AM Heath. The book will be published in May 2012.

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Piccadilly Press has bought a time-travelling young adult romance story, which will be a lead title for autumn 2012.

Managing director Brenda Gardner bought world rights to two books in the Timedance series from Bob Markel. The first book, Neptune's Tears by Susan Waggoner, will be published in September 2012. Set in the future, it is about an "empath" and the patient she falls in love with, who is a time traveller. Publication details for the second book have yet to be confirmed.

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Simon & Schuster has bought world rights in an “outstanding” literary début by comedian Russell Kane.

Fiction editorial director Maxine Hitchcock acquired The Humorist from Avalon Management for an undisclosed sum and will publish in hardback in April 2012.

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Katie Allen, web editor at www.thebookseller.com, is to write a craft title for Hardie Grant.

Paper, Scissors, Rock: 25 Spectacular, Crafty Gifts Made by You! will feature projects from greetings cards to tote bags and iPad cases. Kate Pollard acquired world rights to the book directly from Allen. She said: “We’re thrilled to be working with a young, exciting crafter and can’t wait to publish a fabulous new craft book with edge.”

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William Heinemann has acquired two novels and a non-fiction work by David Vann, author of Legend of a Suicide and Caribou Island, with the author moving from Penguin.

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