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Bella Mackie has struck a two-book deal for a "significant" five-figure sum with The Borough Press, with plans to publish her first novel in summer 2021.
Charlotte Cray, editorial director at The Borough Press acquired world English language rights to two novels from Charlie Campbell at Kingsford Campbell. The first book in the deal, How to Kill Your Family, was bought on a partial manuscript and is scheduled for summer 2021. Details of the second book are yet to be announced.
How to Kill Your Family is a "riotous revenge comedy about a young woman who will stop at nothing to avenge her mother. Grace Bernard’s plan is devious, intricate and will redress the wrongs done by her absentee millionaire father. Readers have a front row seat as Grace picks the family off one by one – and the result is as gruesome as it is entertaining," said the HarperCollins imprint. "This wickedly dark romp is about class, family, love and – let’s just say it – murder, and it’s outrageously funny, compulsive, subversive; and massively enjoyable too. For anyone who devoured Killing Eve and adored My Sister The Serial Killer."
Cray said: "Bella’s voice just bounces off the page. How to Kill Your Family is bursting with delicious characters, bloodshed and wit. I know readers will revel in this macabre misadventure."
A journalist and writer, Mackie was a commissioning editor at the Guardian and a news editor at Vice before going freelance. Her first book, Jog On (William Collins), about running and mental health, is a Sunday Times bestseller and has sold more than 23,742 copies through Nielsen.
Mackie is currently writing The Jog On Journal, which publishes on 14th November, for William Collins.
She said: "I'm delighted to be working with The Borough Press on my first novel. I've had this idea brewing in my head for a few years now, and I'm so thrilled to be working with Charlotte Cray, who immediately understood what I was trying to do with it."
Campbell added: "Bella is going to be a superstar. After the success of Jog On, I'm so happy that The Borough Press will publish her brilliant, dark and funny fiction."