Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records Sam Harrison at Aurum has acquired World English Language rights from Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander Associates to James Nice’s Shadowplayers: The Rise and Fall of Factory Records. The book will be the first definitive account of Factory Records, perhaps the most radical and innovative label in British pop history, and will draw on the author's professional association with many of the key players - some of whom rarely speak publicly - as well as contemporary sources and previously unpublished documents. Published in Spring 2010 to coincide with the 30th anniversary of era-defining single Love Will Tear Us Apart and the death of singer Ian Curtis, Shadowplayers will feature a foreword from Jon Savage, and will cover: the recording of seminal records by Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays; the building of the celebrated Hacienda nightclub - and later gang problems; Factory's spectacular collapse; and the tragic early deaths of Martin Hannett, Ian Curtis, Tony Wilson and Rob Gretton. Simon Reynolds, acclaimed writer of Rip It Up And Start Again, has said of the author: 'James Nice is uniquely placed to write the definitive chronicle of Factory Records.' Sam Harrison said: 'I'm over the moon that James has chosen to publish with Aurum. Shadowplayers will be a unique cocktail of musical genius, heady success, staggering folly and bitter human tragedy – and undoubtedly one of the best music books of 2010.'