Nine Eight to publish Bickerdike's 'timely, kaleidoscopic' Britney biography

Nine Eight, Bonnier Books UK's new music imprint, will publish Being Britney: Pieces of a Modern Icon by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike in November 2021, the first book to provide a "sympathetic yet objective re-examination of Britney Spear's cultural impact". 

Pete Selby, publishing director, bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Matthew Hamilton at the Hamilton Agency. 

The synopsis reads: "As Britney turns 40 in December 2021, Being Britney looks at a mother, an entrepreneur; a victim, a fighter; an entertainer, an enigma — Britney's life is as multi-faceted as the very contradictions, pressures and expectations that helped create her. Yet, beyond the eye-catching headlines and front-page fodder, an almost indecipherable question remains: who is the real Britney?

"Part biography, part social history, author Jennifer Otter Bickerdike pieces together a collage of vignettes, stories, interviews, legends, fan experiences and amusing detours to construct a definitive portrait of the artist and her complex, far-reaching orbit. This unique narrative is the first to provide a sympathetic yet objective re-examination of Britney's cultural impact in the wake of major collective shifts surrounding feminism, celebrity and mental health."

Bickerdike commented: "As veteran of the music business, I have always been troubled by how Britney and other young female performers are treated.  My hope is that this book will make people think about the Britney behind the ‘product’ — the savvy business person who has managed to have a multi-million dollar empire despite numerous outside forces trying to destroy her from every angle.  After years of being framed as a victim, Britney deserves to be celebrated as the fighter, entrepreneur, inspiration and enigma that she truly is."

Selby said: "Jennifer is one of our most vibrant music writers and it’s a delight to be able to publish her at Nine Eight. She has written such a timely, kaleidoscopic book on Britney that is equal parts challenging and irreverent. It’s an astonishing trip."

Bickerdike is the author of You Are Beautiful and You Are Alone: The Biography of Nico (Faber & Faber, 2021) and number-one bestseller Why Vinyl Matters: A Manifesto from Musicians and Fans (ACC Art Books, 2017).