Penguin Children's signs vlogger Zoella

Penguin Children's has acquired the debut novel of YouTube vlogger (video blogger) Zoella.

Zoella, whose real name is Zoe Sugg, is a beauty and fashion blogger with 4.9 million YouTube subscribers and two million Instagram followers. Her debut novel, Girl Online, is a YA title about a 15-year-old’s relationship with an American pop star and what happens when her anonymous blog goes viral.

Penguin fiction publisher Shannon Cullen acquired the world rights to the book in a two-book deal from Dominic Smales at Gleam Futures.

Amy McCulloch, editorial director of Penguin Children’s, said: “Zoe has an incredible voice for teens and she drew on her wealth of experience dealing with real issues like anxiety and cyber-bullying to deliver a poignant, romantic and heart-warming debut novel. The whole team was bursting with excitement at the prospect of working withZoe, and we know her fans – and the rest of the world – are going to fall head-over-heels with her writing.”

Zosia Knopp, rights director of Penguin Random House Children’s, has sold the US and Canadian rights to Atria Books editor Jhanteigh Kupihea, who will publish both novels under the Keywords Press imprint. Penguin Children’s and Keywords Press will both publish in November.