Quercus brings forward Boris diary and hires troop of impersonators

Quercus is bringing forward publication of its fictional diary of a teenage Boris Johnson and will promote it with a troop of bumbling blonde-haired impersonators.

The (Unofficial) Secret Diary of Boris Johnson Aged 13¼ by Lucien Young, illustrated by Quinton Winter ,will now be published on 3rd October.

Its audiobook version will be read by impressionist Jon Culshaw, who is heading to ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” sofa on 18th October, with other TV appearances being lined up.

Some lucky Waterstones stores and indies in London will receive visits from Boris impersonators on publication day, with finished copies being handed out to unsuspecting staff.

A huge poster featuring various pictures of Johnson will go up on Morning Lane in Hackney from 21st October, with a call out to passers-by to deface the poster and blow off some steam. A mass influencer mailing will also aim to reach political activists, writers, celebrities and talking heads.

David Murphy, sales director, said: “This book is setting up brilliantly, with great slots in the supermarkets as well as all the major high street retailers and online. It’s the perfect Christmas gift, and I’m very confident it will be a huge bestseller.” 

Jane Sturrock, editorial director at Quercus Books, added: “As events in Westminster unfold, I’m beginning to question whether this diary is a parody at all. Has Lucien stumbled across the real thing?”