Book Deal: Amy Bratley signs new deal with Pan Macmillan

"Pan Macmillan has bought a novel following five couples in an antenatal class ahead of the births of their first children, written by author of The Girls' Guide to Homemaking, Amy Bratley.  

Editorial director for fiction Jenny Geras bought world rights in The Antenatal Group by Bratley through Veronique Baxter and Laura West at David Higham Associates. Pan will publish in mass market paperback in early 2013.

The novel follows five couples as they attend antenatal classes, and looks at the relationships they form, and their experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

Geras said: "For all the women's fiction that is out there about pregnancy and birth, I've never found anything like this which encapsulates what is such an important part of late pregnancy and early motherhood for so many women."

I really enjoyed Amy Bratley's debut novel The Girls' Guide to Homemaking which was released last year, so I am pleased that she will be back soon with a new book, it's just a shame we have to wait until 2013 to read it!

Taken from The Bookseller

Book Deal: Dorothy Koomson signs 2 book deal with Quercus

"Quercus Publishing is delighted to announce the acquisition of two new novels by internationally bestselling author Dorothy Koomson.

Dorothy Koomson is a worldwide bestseller and combined sales of her novels in the UK exceed one million copies. She has written seven books, all of which have been UK and international top ten bestsellers.

Mark Smith, Quercus Chief Executive, said: ‘I am thrilled that Dorothy is joining the Quercus team. The energy that Dorothy has shown in developing her books, her fantastic website and the “read your heart out” concept all underline how well she knows her readers and the genre.

We believe that this knowledge and understanding, combined with our own enthusiasm and vision for her, will be vital in taking Dorothy to the next level of both sales and profile.’

Dorothy Koomson said: ‘I am so pleased and excited to be published by Quercus. They’ve been supportive about the evolution of my writing and are very on-board with the other projects I have been working on. This is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. ‘

The deal was agented by Antony Harwood and Dorothy’s first novel for Quercus will be published in autumn 2012."

After a good few successful years with Little,Brown imprint 'Sphere', Dorothy Koomson and her wonderful books are moving to a new home with Quercus publishers! I don't really mind who publishes Dorothy's books as I know they are going to be a great read, and I'm excited to see where Quercus and Dorothy together are going to go!

Taken from the Quercus Books Blog

Book Deal: Lynda Bellingham signed by Simon&Schuster

"Actress and “Loose Women” co-presenter Lynda Bellingham has signed a two-book deal with Simon & Schuster to write commercial women's fiction.

Publishing director Suzanne Baboneau signed the deal with Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown for UK and Commonwealth rights. The first book, as yet untitled, is due to be published in spring 2013, with the second to follow a year later. Her début is described as a multi-generational family saga with a “tightly woven web of secrets and lies”. Bellingham is not working with a co-author.

Baboneau said: “A five-decade search for a woman's true identity and her battle for acceptance within her own family, this will be a plot and character-driven story conceived with true heart and commitment. The written word comes to Lynda so naturally and instinctively; it is a joy to see, and she will be a joy to work with"

Lynda is actually one of the only women on the TV show "Loose Women" that I can actually stand, so I'm quite pleased that it is her who will be writing fiction! It's interesting too that she won't be using a co-author, so Bellingham must be quite good at writing to not need any help. I'll definitely be looking out for her books, will you?

From The Bookseller