Walker's 'future rebels' handbook goes to Icon for undisclosed sum

Icon has signed up an “inspiring handbook for future rebels and revolutionaries”, Five Rules For Rebellion, by Women’s Equality Party founding leader Sophie Walker.

Senior commissioning editor Kiera Jamison acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Josephine Hayes at The Blair Partnership for an undisclosed sum.

Walker, a long-time activist and journalist turned political party leader, offers what Icon has described as “a call to arms for women to achieve change through sustainable daily activism”. Five Rules For Rebellion “offers a practical, realistic and inspiring route to incorporating activism into everyone’s lives" and an “inspiring handbook for future rebels and revolutionaries”.

The book will draw upon Walker’s experience as a campaigner, as well as interviews with activists including campaigner Nimko Ali, Japanese #MeToo campaigner Shiori Ito, American feminist activist Gloria Steinem, British food writer and campaigner Jack Monroe, Irish abortion rights campaigner Ailbhe Smyth and other women campaigning for environmental protection, peace and equality across the globe. Icon will publish in hardback in March 2020, for International Women’s Day.

Jamison said: “We’re delighted to be publishing Sophie. She’s an inspiration and such a champion of other women too. Five Rules for Rebellion reached through our tough, jaded shells with its message of hopeful, determined, collaborative action – as we’re sure it will with women of all ages.”

Walker added: “I’m really excited to be working with Icon to publish Five Rules For Rebellion and, with the help of their brilliant team, encourage everyone who has ever wanted a better world to work together to achieve it. Activism is a rollercoaster that can be thrilling and difficult and sometimes uncomfortable - so here are some tips, strategies and philosophical comfort gleaned from my own experience and from interviews with hard-working, determined women working around the world for equality, peace and justice.”

Walker is a feminist activist, founding leader of the Women’s Equality Party, and recently-appointed chief executive of Young Women's Trust, the charity representing and supporting women aged 18-30 who are living on no or low pay. She stood for London Mayor in 2016 and in 2017 stood for election to Parliament on a manifesto of equal pay, investment in care and an end to violence against women. She is a long-term campaigner for disability rights and worked for 20 years as an international reporter.