Martina Cole's autumn novel postponed to 2021

Headline has announced that Martina Cole’s forthcoming hardback Loyalty will be postponed until autumn 2021 owing to the author's ill health. The book had been scheduled for this October.

Cole's agent Darley Anderson said: "Martina continues to recuperate well after a period of non Covid-19 related ill health. This break from her schedule is only a temporary disruption before she returns to writing her brilliant books."

According to Headline, Cole "has expressed her frustration at not being able to publish her 26th novel this autumn and looks forward to being back to good health soon. She would like to thank the book trade and Headline for their continued support at this time."

Cole's 2018 autumn novel No Mercy (Headline) was also put back a year, to October 2019. At the time her agent said she simply needed longer to complete the book; she was previously on a book-a-year schedule.

Mari Evans, managing director of Headline, said: "Our thoughts and love are with Martina, it’s important she takes this time to rest and recover her strength. Her loyal readers wouldn’t ask for anything else."

Cole has sold 10 million books for £68m via Nielsen BookScan's UK TCM, and her October 2019 hardback release, No Mercy, sold 105,713 copies.