Lana Del Rey's debut poetry collection to S&S

Simon & Schuster is to publish a debut book of poetry by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey. 

Ian Marshall, deput publishing director at S&S UK, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights as part of a joint deal with Stuart Roberts, senior editor at S&S US, who acquired World English, first serial, and audio rights from CAA.

The debut, Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass, is the first in a two-book deal. It will publish simultaneously with S&S US, Canada, Australia and India. The hardcover and e-audio editions are available immediately for preorder. 

Marshall said: “Lana Del Rey’s music has been a constant presence in my life over the last decade, ever since her brilliantly evocative album 'Born To Die' was first released. Now, with her remarkable first book of poetry, superbly illustrated with her own photographs, she has done it once again. This is a book her enormous fanbase will not want to miss, either in hardback or in the special audio version, and I am thrilled that S&S UK has the opportunity to work with this great artist on her latest project.”

The collection features more than 30 poems, and orginial photography by Del Rey, who will also voice the audio edition of the book, available to listen to from 28th July. 

She said: “Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass is the title poem of the book and the first poem I wrote of many. Some of which came to me in their entirety, which I dictated and then typed out, and some that I worked laboriously picking apart each word to make the perfect poem. They are eclectic and honest and not trying to be anything other than what they are and for that reason I’m proud of them, especially because the spirit in which they were written was very authentic.”

The hardcover edition will be available on 29th September.