HarperCollins snaps up Sims' third 'Why Mummy' book

HarperCollins will publish bestselling author Gill Sims' Why Mummy Doesn’t Give A **** next June accompanied by a nationwide theatre tour.

Rights were bought from Paul Baker at Headway Talent by HarperNonFiction editorial director, Katya Shipster with publication slated for 27th June 2019.

"Why Mummy Doesn’t Give A **** sees a big change in Ellen’s life, a new canine brother for Judgy Dog, Mummy clashing with an unruly Jane as she enters the dreaded teenage years, and plenty more hilarious laugh out loud moments and cringingly relatable incidents,” the publisher said. "Gill’s eagerly awaited third novel in the Why Mummy series is sure to resonate with existing and new readers alike.”

To coincide with publication of Why Mummy Doesn’t Give A **** Sims will be embarking on a nationwide theatre tour beginning in June, spanning 30 appearances. "Fans will get the chance to hear Gill in conversation discussing the highs, lows and everything in-betweens of motherhood, the Why Mummy series and of course the all-important Judgy Dog,” HarperCollins said.

Sims’ debut Why Mummy Drinks was published by HarperCollins in 2017, hitting the number one spot on Kindle, selling 314,635 books for £1.5m, according to Nielsen BookScan. Why Mummy Drinks: The Journal was published in October, after being acquired by HarperCollins earlier this year.

Sims said of her eponymous character’s journey in the new book: "Life, as ever, is not going quite as she planned. Suddenly her precious moppets have grown up, and are giant stroppy teenagers, and instead of wittering at her about who would win in a fight – a dragon badger or a ninja horse, they are Snapchatting the night away, and communicating mainly in grunts- except when they are demanding Ellen provides taxi services in the small hours, and there is never, but never, any milk in the house."

Shipster says: "Gill is one of the most talented comedy writers of recent years, and her readers are responding in their droves, and I know that they will love following what’s next for the Russell family.”

The series started life as a hit Facebook blog,"Peter and Jane”, which amassed 300,000 fans by the time HarperCollins secured Sims’ debut deal in May 2017.