OWN IT! acquires rights to former teacher's debut novel

OWN IT! will publish former secondary school teacher Ashley Hickson-Lovence’s debut novel after founder and publisher Crystal Mahey-Morgan acquired the rights in a deal negotiated with David Godwin Associates.

Set entirely on a London bus travelling from Hoxton to Highbury and taking place over just 36 minutes, The 392 unfolds through a cast of characters coming from very different worlds, but tied together through a shared suspicion as the threat of terrorism looms, according to the blurb. 

David Godwin Associates agent Philippa Sitters said: “Writing like Ashley’s doesn’t come around very often; an arresting, contemporary voice that shows no end of versatility. The range and empathy he shows writing as such an eclectic crowd of passengers is remarkable. OWN IT! are the perfect match for this innovative novel.” 

OWN IT! has acquired world all language print, audio and film and TV rights. The 392 will be published in April 2019.

Mahey-Morgan said: “Ashley is a rare and exciting voice with a dept skill for observation, a natural flair with words and the ability to create authentic worlds and characters. As well as an exciting new literary fiction author, Ashley offers an important contribution to the literary landscape and is the kind of unique talent that will delight readers, and that the industry is so keen to find. We’re hugely excited that Ashley joins our growing list of debut British authors and to be publishing The 392.”