MIRA acquires two by former journalist Quain

MIRA has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to two debut women’s fiction novels by former journalist Ollie Quain.

The first title, How to Lose Weight and Alienate People, is a dark, comical saga following Vivian, an unfocused and unemotional actress living in the fast lane, whose life – as she hits 35 “is about to start piling up.”

Harlequin UK editorial director Donna Hillyer acquired the rights from Ben Mason of Fox Mason Ltd Literary Agency. Hillyer said: “Ollie is an exciting new voice in British women’s fiction, and her novel is a truly page-turning read with whippet-fast humour.

There are so many strong lines, the dialogue just pops and the rolling wit never goes off the boil. As well as being incredibly funny, it also really delves into our society’s obsession with image and as a result is incredibly thought-provoking.” The title will be published as a paperback on 16th May 2014.

Quain said: “I wanted to produce an entertaining but edgy novel about celebrity, self-esteem and the cult of skinny, and what happens when you’re funny about food but the joke starts to wear thin.” Quain’s second novel, yet to be titled, will be released in summer 2015.