Yazidi genocide survivor memoir to Virago after 'heated' auction

Virago has bought the memoir of a 23-year-old woman and survivor of the Yazidi genocide in Iraq after a "heated" auction. 

Nadia MuRad is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and, since September 2016, the first Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking of the United Nations. She has also testified before the UN Security Council and, backed by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, she is attempting to secure accountability for the genocide, sexual enslavement and trafficking of Yazidi girls and women by the militant group Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. In this book she tells her own story of being trafficked and of the tragedy her family has endured alongside a passionate plea to end the crimes against the Yazidi people.

The book, now sold in 14 countries, will be co-written with Jenna Krajeski a New York-based journalist with over a decade of experience living and reporting in the Middle East.

The deal for UK and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada was done by Sophie Lambert at Conville & Walsh on behalf of Amanda Urban at ICM. Virago will publish in November 2017.

Lennie Goodings, publisher of Virago said she was "so proud" to be publishing the book. "To see the strength of a young woman who refuses to be defeated, who is determined to bring the news of the Yazidis to the world, who stands tall despite her own personal tragedies is extremely humbling and inspiring," she said. "I do believe that books can change the world - I have seen it happen - and I believe wholeheartedly that this book has that power: it will make a difference."