Andi Osho's 'delightful' début scooped by HQ

HQ has scooped the "delightful" début novel from comedian, actor and screenwriter Andi Osho.

Executive publisher Lisa Milton acquired world all language rights for Asking For A Friend from Richard Scrivener at the Creative Rights Agency in partnership with talent agency Victoria Lepper Associates. It will be published in February 2021 as a paperback original, e-book and audio.

The synopsis explains: "Asking For A Friend is a funny multi-generational novel about three best friends who come up with a plan to solve their relationship woes once and for all. Fed up with their love lives, Jemima, Meagan and Simi decide it‚Äôs time to play the dating game by their own rules, so they‚Äôre going to ditch the dating apps and ask people out in real life. The catch? They can only ask out potential dates for each other because the most important thing is that no woman gets left behind. Hilarious and uplifting, Andi‚Äôs début novel features her trademark wit and will appeal to anyone who understands the power of female friendship."

Osho is a writer, actor, film-maker and stand-up comedian who has appeared on TV shows including "Mock the Week", "Live at the Apollo" and "Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow". She has performed sold-out solo shows, written for broadcasters including Fox, BBC and Sky and screened her short films at festivals around the world.

She said: "A few years back, after a particularly scrappy break-up, I found myself reading a heap of relationship self-help books. My mind was blown and right away, I knew I wanted to write a novel about dating. However, once I got to work it quickly became a story not just about romance but about fabulous female friends who, to me, are just as important, if not more so. Sistas before Mistas and all that! Asking For A Friend explores everything I’m still learning about romance as well as being a love letter to all the great girlfriends I’ve had throughout my life."

Milton added: "Fierce and funny, this is a delightful début. It made me laugh and cry as I hoovered up the pages. Andi is a natural storyteller with a wonderful gift for finding the humour in every situation. With its unique angle, this is an entertaining and empowering read for women of all ages."