Queer Eye's Tan France goes to Ebury after auction

Ebury Publishing imprint Virgin Books is releasing the first memoir of British fashion designer Tan France, resident style expert on the hit Netflix re-boot “Queer Eye”.

In the book, described as both “funny” and “heartfelt”, France will tell the story of his journey from South Yorkshire to Netflix, and what it means to be the first openly gay South Asian on Western TV.

According to Virgin Books: “Humorous and poignant personal essays will be peppered with style advice, funny lists, and the truisms that Tan has accumulated in his journey from South Yorkshire to Netflix.” Issues touched upon will include sexuality, masculinity and religion “from a unique angle”.

Virgin Books editor Lucy Oates acquired UK and Commonwealth rights at auction from Siobhan O’Neill at WME, on behalf of Eve Attermann, and will publish France’s as-yet-untitled memoir on 16th May 2019.

The deal follows Headline’s acquisition of the official “Queer Eye” TV tie-in, authored by the Fab Five including France, which is due to publish this November.

Oates said: “Of course we have all fallen in love with [Tan’s] fun, infectious sense of humour on ‘Queer Eye’, and his book personifies the show’s message of love and acceptance. Tan is a true trailblazer, and I know many will resonate with his hilarious tales of family dysfunction, first dates and – finally – the reason behind why Tan loves a printed shirt. Readers who want to know more about how a boy from South Yorkshire became one of the world’s most famous style experts will not be disappointed."

France said: “The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.”