Avon signs 'significant' four-book deal with Laura Jane Williams

Avon has bought four more novels from journalist and author Laura Jane Williams in a "significant" deal. 

The HarperCollins imprint's commissioning editor Katie Loughnane has acquired world all language rights from agent Ella Diamond Kahn, at Diamond Kahn & Woods Literary Agency. Avon declined to share figures but told The Bookseller the deal was "significant".

Williams, a former Red Magazine’s columnist and Grazia’s ex-dating guru, is also a keynote speaker. The author of two non-fiction books, both published by Hodder, has sold a total of 8,747 books for £83,715, with her debut, Ice Cream for Breakfast (Hodder), her bestseller. Her first novel, Our Stop, was published by Avon in June.

Loughnane  said: “Laura provides everything we love about commercial fiction: her characters are achingly relatable but not stereotypical; her stories have commercial hooks but maintain real depth; her voice is smart, bold and courageous whilst simultaneously being uplifting, unashamedly romantic and – genuinely – laugh-out-loud funny. It takes an exceptional writer to be able to weave these elements into a novel, and Laura does it with such ease."

She added: "She is a unique author on the Avon list and I’m over the moon that we will continue to be the home for her unforgettable fiction. I cannot wait to read, let alone publish, her next four books."

Williams praised the “dizzying chutzpah” of the Avon team. She added: “They’re so hands-on, flexible, and communicative, and have already impressed me so much. It was a no-brainer to continue my relationship with them.”

Kahn said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Avon on Laura’s first novel, Our Stop and their ambitious and creative vision for her fiction was so impressive that we had no hesitation in agreeing to publishing more books with them. Their commitment and energy is refreshing and inspiring, and I cannot wait to see their vision for Laura’s novels realised.”