Sphere signs two-book deal with Jenny Eclair

Sphere has picked up two more novels from comedian Jenny Eclair ahead of the release of her latest book, Inheritance (Sphere).

Catherine Burke, deputy managing director of Little, Brown Book Group, acquired world rights for the untitled books from Richard Allen-Turner at Avalon.

Burke said: “Eclair is one of the most brilliant novelists writing today. Her books are insightful, beautifully observed, compelling and so very moving, we’re thrilled to be publishing more novels together.”

Eclair added: “I’m delighted to be signing up for two more books with Sphere, although the prospect is daunting it’s also thrilling and I’m very grateful.”

Eclair’s 2015 novel, Moving (Sphere), was a Richard and Judy pick and the publisher said it racked up 160,000 sales in all formats, including 57,145 copies in paperback and 4,052 in hardback through Nielsen, with rights sold in five other countries. It was her fourth novel following fellow Sphere titles Camberwell Beauty, Having a Lovely Time and Life, Death & Vanilla Slices. In total, she has sold 168,134 UK print books for £1.28m. 

Inheritance, a tale of family secrets across the generations, publishes on 1st August in hardback, e-book and an audio edition narrated by Eclair. Publication dates for the two currently untitled novels in the new deal are yet to be confirmed.