Bloomsbury wins 15-publisher auction for book on grief by Cariad Lloyd

Bloomsbury has won a 15-publisher bidding war for a book on grief by podcaster Cariad Lloyd, in “one of the fiercest auctions” managed by agent Nelle Andrew of PFD, for a "significant" six-figure deal.

Bloomsbury’s publishing director Alexis Kirschbaum won the auction for UK and Commonwealth rights including audio, against 14 other publishers, to debut You Are Not Alone. This was negotiated as part of a "significant" six-figure deal, The Bookseller understands.

In 2016, Lloyd, a writer and actress, recorded four conversations with public eye figures, discussing the loss of a loved one and its effect on their lives. It was inspired by her coming to terms with the loss of her own father, when she was 15. These original “Griefcast” podcasts - with comedians Adam Buxton, Jayde Adams, Sara Pascoe and Jon Harvey - got over 100,000 listens in the first 3 months, Bloomsbury said. Within three years the series had more than 3.7 million downloads. Guests have included Robert Webb, Sara Pascoe and David Baddiel and it won Podcast of the Year at the British Podcast Awards 2018.

“You Are Not Alone will draw on everything Cariad has learned both from her own experience, as well as from the hundreds of hours she has spent interviewing others about one of the most significant events of a person’s life: its end,” Bloomsbury said. “It will both start, and continue, this all-important conversation on grief, as she delves into the psychology and cultural science behind how society deals with death and loss.” It promises to be “practical, lyrical, told with irreverence, pathos, humour and truth,” delivering the “definitive book on grief of our era”.

Kirschbaum said: “Like many people, I’ve been listening to Cariad Lloyd’s 'Griefcast' for years. Her podcast has registered and changed the kinds of public conversations people feel able to have about grief and grieving, helping millions of listeners in the process. Her book will be thrilling because we will get more of Cariad, who is a searching, humane, and radiant writer. It will crystallise hundreds of hours of listening into a loose framework for grief that will alleviate suffering, because it is full of life and humour and wisdom and because it offers readers understanding."

She added: "We think it will be one of the most successful and enduring books on grief ever published and we are honoured that Cariad chose Bloomsbury to be her publisher.”

Lloyd revealed she hopes the book will help people deal with their own loss. “I’ve been talking about death for over 20 years, and after recording over 100 episodes of the 'Griefcast', I’m delighted to be turning everything I’ve learned into a book," she said. "It was incredibly exciting to take part in the auction and experience the level of interest in a book that will allow space for death and grief to be discussed in a truthful and honest way. I am especially delighted to be working with Bloomsbury on this project, their care, passion and sensitivity combined with their great publishing history made it the perfect place for such a personal project. Through the podcast I have helped to change the conversation about grief, I only hope to continue this work and help even more people in grief realise that, they are not alone.”

Andrew said: “This was one of the fiercest auctions I’ve had the privilege of managing. I’ve never had a book touch so many people in such a ubiquitous and powerful way. I can’t wait to see this book out in the public and the effect it will have, given how many people it’s touched already in only proposal form.”

Lloyd has appeared in TV shows such as “Peep Show”, “Have I Got News For You”, “Qi”, “Toast of London” and “Inside No.9” among others. For BBC Radio 4, she has featured in programmes including "The Now Show" and "The News Quiz", as well as hosting the "Comedy of the Week" podcast.