NEWS
figure deal
Six-
Frankfurt Book Fair 2019 The headlines
Fox the first Hodder buy for Topiwala
Kirt Topiwala, Hodder’s new head of non-fiction, has pre-empted a “revo-
lutionary” book by Oxford psychologist Elaine Fox in a six- figure deal. Topiwala bought world rights on her second day in the job to Switchcraſt in a deal with Patrick Walsh at PEW Literary. The Bookseller understands five
other publishers were bidding for the book and Topiwala first offered a pre-empt, which was declined by the author, on Monday, before going back to Walsh. Switchcraſt is described as a revolutionary smart thinking book on building agilit and resilience in the brain. Aſter 25 years of research, Fox has discovered what is common to people who feel successful and fulfilled: an agilit in how they feel and act. The synopsis reads: “Switchcraſt will explore the science of mental agilit and the unexpected ways in which our
ELAINE FOX WAS THE SUBJECT OF A SIX- WAY BIDDING WAR
experiences shape our lives and emotions. The book will also set out a practical framework for how we can all nurture switchcraſt and live a more fulfilling life.” Fox came to prominence when she discovered that neural path- ways can be reprogrammed in the brains of those suffering depres- sion. She also authored a popular science book on pessimism and optimism, Rainy Brain, Sunny
Brain. Fox now leads a neuroscien- tific research team at Oxford, and works with the UK government to co-ordinate its mental health divisions. She said: “Switchcraſt will allow me to explore decades of work from science labs, and anecdotes from everyday life, that have profound implications for our mental health and success. I am thrilled to be working with Hodder to bring this exciting science to a wider audience.” Topiwala added: “This is a
revolutionary and refreshing take on mental agilit. I am delighted to be working with the brilliant Elaine Fox, who has unparalleled expertise in this area. The idea is so appealing and digestible, but Switchcraſt is also grounded in decades of original research. This is exactly the kind of life-changing, intelligent non-fiction we want to publish on the Hodder list.” Reporting M Chandler, K Mansfield
Judas Priest’s Halford set to Confess
Headline has signed a “one- of-a-kind” autobiography by Judas Priest hellraiser Rob Halford. Publishing director Sarah Emsley acquired world rights from Dave Daniel at CSA for Confess, to be published in autumn 2020. US rights were acquired by Brant Rumble at Hachette Book Group US. Halford fronts one of the
PRIEST HAVE SOLD MORE THAN 50 MILLION ALBUMS GLOBALLY
ROB HALFORD’S BAND JUDAS
Knight Nurse goes to DFB with biological look at life David Fickling Books has snapped up an adult popular science title by the Nobel Prize- winner Sir Paul Nurse. Publisher David Fickling bought world rights, direct from the author, in What Is Life? The book aims to “introduce biology’s five great building blocks”: the cell, the gene, evolution by natural selec- tion, life as chemistry and life as information. Nurse received a knighthood in 1999 for his contributions to cell biology, and was awarded a Nobel in 2001.
04 17th October 2019
most successful heavy metal bands of all time, with Judas Priest shifting some 50 million albums. Written with Ian Gittins, co-writer of The Heroin Diaries
Gaia grabs vegan email architect Nelson’s début
Début Octopus imprint Gaia has acquired Yes
Ve-gan! by journalist Selene Nelson, who made international headlines when her email exchange on veganism with magazine editor William Sitwell went public. Publishing director Stephanie Jackson acquired world rights in all languages from Oscar Janson-Smith at Kruger Cowne. The “call to action” for anyone considering a plant-based diet will be published on 26th December.
by Nikki Sixx (S&S), the book charts Halford’s career, taking in his struggles with addiction and sexuality. Halford explained: “Confess is a unique opportunity for me to expose every facet of myself. Digging deep, with noth- ing to hide and nothing to fear, was exciting, fun, disturbing, terrifying and cathartic. Elmsley added: “Covering
seven action-packed decades, the early material from Confess is stunning. We cannot wait to publish Rob’s book around the globe next year.”
A new Dawn for O’Porter and HarperCollins
HarperCollins has struck a new two-book deal with Dawn O’Porter. Kimberley Young, publisher of general fiction at HarperFiction, acquired all-language rights to two novels exploring women’s lives in a “frank, fearless way”, from Sington & Co. The deal coincides with the
publication of O’Porter’s second adult novel, So Lucky, and the launch of the accompanying 12-episode, once-weekly “So Lucky” podcast, which sees O’Porter interview guests includ- ing Matt Haig, Giovanna Fletcher and Sara Pascoe about the role luck has played in their lives. Young said: “I love how Dawn
continues to push the boundaries in her writing. She’s a dream to work with, and I’m in awe of her creativity and unique view of the world, which she puts on the page with such incredible relatability.” O’Porter added: “I found a great
home at HarperCollins: my editor, gives me free rein to push my characters to their limits, and I am amazed by the efforts of the marketing and PR and sales teams. Seeing posters for The Cows in train stations across London was a true highlight of my career.”
DAWN O’PORTER HAS SIGNED UP FOR A FURTHER TWO NOVELS
Ballon d’Or winner Modric tells rags-to-riches tale Bloomsbury UK has signed Luka Modric’s memoir My Game, which has been sold in 11 territo- ries. The publisher acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Corto Literary Agency for the Real Madrid midfielder’s book, which tells the “inspiring story of how a child refugee became a galáctico”. Commissioning editor Matthew Lowing said: “To be published in English on the eve of the 2020 European Championships, this promises to be a truly exceptional book.”
Thai cave-diving hero Stanton signs up with MJ The diver behind the rescue of a youth football team in Thailand is to write his memoir for Michael Joseph. Publishing director Rowland White bought world rights in Rick Stanton’s Aquanaut from agent Jill Grinberg. A leading explorer, Stanton, with his diving partner John Volanthen, was at the heart of the 2018 effort to find and save a boys’ football team that was stranded underground in Thailand’s Tham Luang cave after heavy rain.
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