Faber launches 'biggest trade campaign ever' to mark the publication of Sally Rooney's Intermezzo

Faber is partnering with more than 40 bookshops to mark the publication of Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo, as the publisher makes plans for its "biggest trade campaign ever".

Waterstones shops and independents across the UK and Ireland will open early on publication day, 24th September, or host events to launch the much-anticipated publication of Rooney’s fourth novel.

Participating bookshops will receive exclusive merchandise and point of sale materials, with standout activity planned at Waterstones Piccadilly and Foyles. Readers will have the chance to design their own bespoke cover for the book, with exclusive publication day dust jackets available in store to be personalised. Waterstones Piccadilly is hosting a reading and signing with Rooney on publication eve, at which copies will be made available for the first time in the UK.

"A new Sally Rooney novel is an enormous publishing event," said Chrissy Ryan of Bookbar in north London. "Last time, BookBar was a brand-new bookshop, and had queues around the block for our early opening. For Intermezzo, BookBar is going bigger than ever, with fan events, an early opening on publication day and some exclusive-to-BookBar goodies for our first customers."

Faber is also partnering with five UK and Irish artists who will reinterpret Kishan Rajani’s cover illustrations in their own style, hand-drawing unique designs for customers individually in store. The artwork will be revealed in September.

The Bindery will celebrate Intermezzo throughout the Autumn with a season of activity, as Faber’s office hosts book clubs, a free streaming party of Rooney’s event at the Southbank Centre on 25th September for Faber Members and a window installation with text from the novel.

"We had such fun when the last Sally Rooney was published," added Hazel Broadfoot, the owner of Village Books in south east London. "We were not long out of lockdowns and social events were in short supply. We borrowed some café tables to set up outside the shop, purloined a couple of coffee makers and raided Gail’s for their best pastries. It was a beautiful sunny morning—we opened just before 8am and soon had a brilliant impromptu breakfast party on the go. It was terrific fun, with a wonderful atmosphere… And we sold lots of books. We’re absolutely going to do it all again next month!"

Sarah Davison-Aitkins, UK sales director at Faber, commented: "There’s been an incredible response from booksellers to Intermezzo; those who have been fans of and supporting Sally from the start, and those for whom Intermezzo is the first Sally Rooney book they have read. We’re delighted that so many bookshops will be opening their doors early on 24th September and would like to thank everyone involved for the time and passion they are putting into their publication day activities and displays around the country."

Lily Keohane, a bookseller at Waterstones Cork, said: "A new Sally Rooney is one of the absolute best days to be a bookseller. The buzz is mighty. It’s such a rare thing to have so much energy surrounding a book but it really goes to show Ireland’s amazing culture of literature. We’ll be here bright and early to get the party started with an exclusive edition and treats for eager fans and newcomers alike!"

Michael Finucane, owner of Chapters, said: "Sally Rooney launches are always special days for us and our customers’ and we are so excited to be opening our doors early, mainly because we actually want to get our hands on Intermezzo and start reading ourselves! We had  two proofs instore and neither staff member is letting it out of their hands … so the anticipation is palpable. The café upstairs is opening early too and the intention is for everyone to have a chance to celebrate picking up their pre-order, have good coffee and a croissant and then retire to devour the book in peace!

"Sally is a unifying author, her readership is a wide demographic—from the younger, artsy, crew who read and think “this is me”, to an older group who read and think “I remember this feeling”; the early opening is not just about being the first to sell the book—it’s about fostering a shared experience, a celebration of literature, and a love for the written word that we know our customers share with us."