Hodder Studio snaps up Phil Wang's debut, Sidesplitter

Hodder Studio will publish comedian Phil Wang’s debut Sidesplitter: How to be from Two Worlds at Once, exploring his experience of living between England and Malaysia.

The book will be accompanied by an original audio project, "They Come Over Here". 

Publisher Myfanwy Moore bought world rights from the Avalon agency. Sidesplitter is publishing in hardback, e-book and audiobook on 16th September 2021, also known as Malaysia Day. 

Ahead of publication, Hodder Studio will release an audio original called "They Come Over Here: Asking Famous People Where They’re Really From" on 24th June 2021. Tackling themes from the book it will feature discussions with guests and comic monologues from Wang and will be available exclusively from online audiobook outlets. 

"Sidesplitter: How to be from Two Worlds at Once is a hilarious and incisive look at being mixed race and belonging to two cultures at once,” Hodder said. “In this mix of comic memoir and observation, one of the UK’s most exciting stand-up comedians, reflects on his experiences as a Eurasian man.”  

Wang explores the contrasts between Eastern and Western cultures and delves into Britain and Malaysia’s shared histories, “bringing his trademark cynicism and wit to topics ranging from food, family, cultural cachet and assimilation, to empire, colonialism and soft power”.  

The comedian was born in Stoke-on-Trent to an English mother and a Chinese-Malaysian father. He is set to record a Netflix special in London and has appeared on various panel and comedy shows. He also hosts podcast "Budpod" with Pierre Novellie. 

“I feel delighted to have written a book and honoured and lucky to have it published,” Wang said. “I hope people enjoy reading it, and laugh at it, and go ‘mmm yes, interesting’ at the bits I want them to. It’s about how to consolidate two home countries into one unified identity, what it’s like always having family on the other side of the world no matter where I am, and whether or not it is possible for everyone to feel a strong sense of home. I also wanted to answer the question ‘Where are you really from?’ by saying ‘You’ll have to buy my book’.”  

Moore said: “Phil is a fantastically bright and inventive comic, and we are thrilled to be working with him on his first book and audio original. His is a funny, incisive and honest take on being brought up in two very different cultures, looking at what that means personally for him, while also asking wider questions about empire and the idea of home.”