Amazon's Lake Union to publish up-lit debut Oliver Clock

Amazon Publishing's Lake Union imprint has won an auction to publish debut author Jane Riley's "uplifting, feel-good" novel The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock.

Expected to publish in January 2020 after worldwide English language rights were acquired in a two-book deal from Ariella Feiner at United Agents, the novel is centred on a "lonely, desperate for love" funeral parlour worker, Oliver Clock, whose ordered world is thrown into chaos when his secret crush of 15 years passes away.

Riley's agent said she'd been won over after receiving The Likely Resolutions of Oliver Clock as an unsolicited submission. "It was immediately obvious that she had created a deeply special character," said Feiner. "You can’t help but fall in love with Oliver and want to protect him from everything which is thrown his way. This novel is a deeply life-affirming, joyous read and will bring pleasure to so many readers."

Also remarking on the star of Riley's debut, Amazon Publishing editor Sammia Hamer chimed Oliver Clock was a character she had warmed to from the manuscript's opening pages.

"Bumbly and awkward but with an enormous heart – Jane’s depiction of Oliver brings an ever-elusive warmth to this novel that has stayed with me long after reading," said Hamer. "We are delighted to be bringing Jane onto the Amazon Publishing list and believe that this uplifting, feel-good read is the perfect pick-me-up to beat the January blues."

The second title in the deal is Geraldine Verne’s Red Suitcase, which will publish in January 2021. Both books will publish in paperback, e-book and audio.