HQ buys 'inspiring' breast cancer novel from Lloyd in four-way auction

HQ has triumphed in a four-way auction for an “inspiring and deeply moving” novel by Josie Lloyd, inspired by her own experience, about a woman reclaiming her life after a breast cancer diagnosis.

The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club is billed as an “honest, heart-warming, uplifting book” that aims to debunk the difficult subject of a disease that affects one in seven UK women.

Senior commissioning editor Emily Kitchin acquired British Commonwealth rights from Felicity Blunt at Curtis Brown. It will be published in in paperback, e-book and audio in June 2020. TV rights have already been optioned by Dandelion and Burdock.

Its synopsis explains: “When Keira receives her breast cancer diagnosis she doesn’t want to have to tell her children or her husband, and she doesn’t want to step back from work. She doesn’t want to sit in a hospital and stare mortality in the face, nor be part of a group of fellow cancer patients. Cancer is not her club. But, as she is forced to accept everything necessarily must change and her health becomes something she can’t rely on, Keira finds herself embracing running. Hot, sweaty running in the company of a group of brilliant, funny women each going through treatment. One step at a time, Keira is going to reclaim something. Her family, her business, her life.”

Lloyd is the author of 15 novels under various pen names, including Come Together (Arrow), which she co-authored with husband Emlyn Rees.

She said: “This book was a labour of love and I couldn't be more pleased that it's in the safest of hands with Emily and the fantastic team at HQ. They could not have done more to show me how much they really 'get' this book and what it's trying to do and say.  It's a book about friendship, laughter and finding your tribe - all of which I've already found at HQ. I can't wait to be a part of their exciting publishing plans next year.”

Kitchin added: “I feel extremely honoured that Josie has chosen HQ to publish her incredibly special novel; one which has struck a deep emotional chord with the entire team. It’s a powerful story of friendship, love, family and hope, and I adored getting to know Josie’s wonderful cast of characters, and feeling as if this group of smart, funny and inspiring women had become my friends. Cancer is a subject that is very close to home for so many people, and the book is already prompting important conversations about it whilst ultimately giving a positive and uplifting message. I know it’s going to resonate with a huge audience.”

"I have loved putting Josie together with the powerhouse energy of HQ," commented Blunt. "The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club is smart, funny and truthful; yes, it draws on Josie’s own experiences, but it also goes far beyond that in creating fantastic complicated characters that keep you turning the page."