Pan Mac acquires debut from "Corrie" writer

Pan Macmillan has acquired a debut novel from "Coronation Street" writer Jonathan Harvey.

Publishing director Wayne Brookes acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (including Canada) from Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown.

The as-yet-untitled novel chronicles the rise and fall of television actress Jodie McGee, charting her life as she becomes an adult coping with fame and trying to find out who she really is.

Brookes said: "I have been a fan of Mr Harvey's incredible comedic writing for years and have loved everything he has done. His first novel is a major acquisition for Pan Macmillan and we have a fantastic strategy in place to
make him a huge bestseller from the very beginning. Jonathan has injected his infectious Northern humour into a poignant tale that is sad, emotive and  full of hilarious one-liners that readers will be quoting for years."

Harvey said: "I can't wait to bring the trials and tribulations of Jodie McGee to a wider audience than just me and the poor souls I've read bits out to on the bus."

Wise added: "Jonathan is such an amazing writing talent . . . that it's a complete treat that his first fiction is now going to be published too."

Harvey runs production company Sixth Floor, and has written for his own series "Beautiful People" and "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme", and programmes such as "The Catherine Tate Show", as well as for "Coronation Street" since 2004. He
also writes for the stage, penning over 15 plays.

Pan Macmillan will publish in 2012.