Headline launches ‘Year of Dorothy’ to celebrate 20 years of Koomson

Headline has launched a "Year of Dorothy" celebrating author Dorothy Koomson, who celebrates 20 years in the publishing industry this month (July 2023), with a host of events and appearances planned.

The "Year of Dorothy" was launched at a 20th anniversary party on the rooftop of Carmelite House on 5th July with guests including fellow authors and publishing friends Jendella Benson, Louise Doughty, Sareeta Domingo, Lola Jaye, Sunny Singh and Carolynn Bain from Afrori Books.

Also in attendance were Koomson’s agent Antony Harwood, plus Smooth Radio’s Angie Greaves, BBC 1Xtra’s Richie Brave and Black Girls Book Club founders Natalie Carter and Melissa Cummings-Quarry.

Jennifer Doyle, publisher at Headline, said: “We are so proud to celebrate 20 years of Dorothy Koomson. Dorothy is an inspiration to so many and has had a huge influence on the publishing industry since the publication of her first novel, The Cupid Effect. We have had quotes from authors and journalists across the industry showing their love for Dorothy and her brilliant books, which is testament to the impact she has had. This celebration couldn’t be more deserved. Happy anniversary, Dorothy!”

A special 20th anniversary hardback edition of The Cupid Effect has been published (6th July 2023), with Koomson’s entire backlist repackaged in new livery and a “What Dorothy book are you?” quiz. An exclusive 20th anniversary online event hosted by Black Ballad will take place on Thursday 13th July with Koomson talking to Jendella Benson, Black Ballad’s head of editorial. Additional appearances this year include SlaughterFest and Brighton Book Festival with celebrations continuing at Harrogate Crime Festival on 21st July, Capital Crime on 31st August and Bloody Scotland on 15th September.

Already host of the publishing podcast “The Happy Author”, Koomson has recently also launched “The Big Reveal”, a podcast for "book lovers and culture vultures" where she reveals her Book Club choices, thoughts on stories, characters, TV shows, podcasts and presents a problem page with a difference. Koomson’s 19th novel, Every Smile you Fake, is due to be published in February 2024.