Avon buys two novels from Ford

Avon Books has acquired two novels from author Harper Ford including an "unflinching" rom-com about a divorcée navigating the world of dating apps.

Rachel Hart, commissioning editor at Avon, struck the deal for world English language rights with Laura Macdougall at United Agents. The first novel, Divorced Not Dead, will be published on 28th September, with the second scheduled for 2024.

Avon described Divorced Not Dead as “an unflinching and laugh-out-loud funny rom-com about a cynical 50-something divorcée just trying to live her best life and maybe find the man of her dreams along the way”. The publisher said: “As newly single Frankie navigates the new frontier of dating apps, she meets catfish, kittenfish, ghosts, DILFs and everything in between. But will Frankie find love on the apps? Or the perfect shag? Or – if there’s any justice in the world – both? Dealing with themes of divorce, romance, loneliness, motherhood and complex female friendships, Divorced Not Dead pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to start over again in a totally hilarious, no-holds-barred way.”  

Hart said: “Harper’s razor-sharp and taboo-busting take on being 50, divorced and getting back on the horse had me laughing out loud. Navigating the crazy world of dating apps with Frankie – our sarcastic, cynical but totally lovable protagonist – felt like hanging out with a best friend. I can’t wait for readers to root for her like I do.”  

Ford said: “I’m over the moon to be working with Rachel and the formidable team at Avon, the perfect home for Divorced Not Dead. Frankie is a kickass modern hero – a woman in her fifties who’s taking control of her love life and not taking any crap from anyone."

Ford is a pseudonym. She is a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund, based at the University of Lincoln. This is her debut women’s fiction novel.