11th March 2025


Borough Press’ Suzie Dooré makes a play for Sophie Duker’s Dong


TOM TIVNAN Managing editor


T


he Borough Press’ editor-at-large Suzie Dooré has snapped up the first novel from the comedian,


actress and Taskmaster champion Sophie Duker ( 1). The novel will explore “the dark


realities” of entertainment and TV. Dooré pre-empted world English- language rights to Dong in a deal brokered with Duker’s talent management company Avalon. Dong is scheduled for publication in spring 2027. Dong is centred around TV


researcher Ellie who, at 24, meets and is befriended by an older, white male comedian. Rick becomes a mentor figure to her but “years later, when a scandal breaks, Ellie must ask herself how complicit she was in what happened…”


Duker said she was “literally high


off the news of this deal. It feels both ludicrous and lovely that the awkward Black girl who hid in the toilets with her books at break time is finally delivering her debut novel. Despite having worked for and alongside some genuine legends, I know first-hand how delicious and dangerous working in the entertainment industry can be, what comedy’s worst dudes are drawn to, and the kind of dynamics that develop behind closed doors”. Dooré added: “I am in a very


happy position as Sophie’s editor in that I’d want to publish whatever she wrote, and it turns out she’s a brilliant writer who I’d have snapped up even if she weren’t famous. Dong is hilarious, obvi- ously, but it’s also a very important and timely book about complicity, accountability, misogyny and where to hide when you need a Big Ugly Cry at work.” Duker’s 2019 debut Edinburgh


Fringe stand-up show, Venus, saw her nominated for the Best Newcomer. She is also the first comedian to have hosted The Booker Prize when she was master of ceremonies at the 2022 award ceremony. She won the 13th series of


I know first-hand how delicious and dangerous working in the entertainment industry can be… and the kind of dynamics that develop behind closed doors


Sophie Duker 1 M


Rob Biddulph strikes deal with Macmillan Children’s Books The Moonhaven Chronicles follow


acmillan Children’s Books has acquired five middle-grade titles with


bestselling author and illustrator Rob Biddulph ( 2). The “major” six-figure deal kicks


off with the Moonhaven Chronicles, a “thrilling, fast-paced, commercial middle-grade duology” for readers aged eight to 12 that will launch in February 2026 with The Last Wolf. World all-language right were bought by associate publisher Sarah Hughes from Jodie Hodges at United Agents.


four friends Jax, Jovi, Esau and Fourth, as they sneak out every full moon, breaking a strict curfew and enjoying the freedom of the deserted streets of the town of Moonhaven. One night, news of a rare were-


wolf attack turns suspicion on the friends and they have no choice but to run. As the mystery unfolds, “rumours start, friendships are tested, secrets are kept and broken and the friends don’t know who to trust – not even each other”.


10 The Last Wolf will launch in


hardback with 100 black and white illustrations, and the second title will follow a year later. The launch will be backed by an extensive PR and marketing campaign with school and festival events, creative partnerships, social-media adver- tising, draw-along-activities and more, the publisher says. Hughes said: “Rob is one of those


rare people who dazzles with both his writing and illustration.” Biddulph added: “Writing


and illustrating for this age group is an utter joy… I’m so proud of The Last Wolf. I think fans of Peanut Jones will really love this new series.”


Taskmaster and has been a regular on programmes such as Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Live at The Apollo. Prior to Duker’s career as an actress and comedian, she worked in television produc- tion, both in-house at the BBC and at production companies like Hat Trick, Endemol, Rumpus and Twofour Productions.


2


London Book Fair


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