HC to tell story of 'bolshie' shepherd cat

HarperCollins has bought world rights in a book about a ‘shepherd cat’ who joined a sheep farm.

Editorial director of HarperNonfiction, Vicky Eribo, did the deal with agent Marianne Gunn O’Connor. Bodacious: The Shepherd Cat by Suzanna Crampton will be published by HarperNonFiction on 14th June 2018 in Demy Hardback.

Eleven years ago, Bodacious the ‘shepherd cat’ appeared in Suzanna Crampton’s life after she found him wandering around a shop in Kilkenny, Ireland. When no one claimed him, she took him back to join the array of other animals on her Zwartbles sheep farm. The books is told from Bodacious’ perspective, and takes readers through a year of life on the farm, from his daily farm duties and “shepherding adventures", to the country living and his “unique bond with the shepherd Suzanna”.

A HarperCollins spokesperson said: “With wonderful characterisation, humour, sharp observation, and a plucky attitude, 'Big, bold, beautiful, bolshie' Bodacious reveals the inner working of Zwartbles farm, and recreates the atmosphere of the house, the orchards and the fields.”

Eribo says: “We were all instantly charmed by Suzanna’s wonderfully evocative writing; it’s warm, funny and full of personality. I think Bodacious’ story will strike a chord with cat lovers everywhere.”