Bloomsbury signs Bergdorf for six figures after 11-way auction

Bloomsbury has won an 11-way auction to publish the first book by model, activist and writer Munroe Bergdorf. 

Associate publisher Alexis Kirschbaum acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, and translation rights, to Transitional, in a six-figure deal from Abigail Bergstrom at Gleam Titles.

Kirschbaum said: "What an inspiring woman Munroe Bergdorf is. Transitional will be an affective and insightful guide to how to integrate personal authenticity and the realities of the modern world. It promises to be a book of rare wisdom about the difficulties and possibilities embodied in the choices of the 21st century identity. Munroe has a point of view that is exceptionally wise and humane, and the life experience to back it up."

The book will draw on Bergdorf’s own experience, as well as research from experts and activists, to "explore how deeply ingrained transitioning is" in human experience. Transitional will interrogate six topics, including adolescence, sexuality, gender, relationships, identity and race, and explore the act of transitioning as something "we all face in every phase of life".

Bergdorf has spoken on international panels and contributed to publications including the Guardian, Evening Standard, Grazia, i-D, British Vogue, Elle, Teen Vogue and Paper Magazine. In 2019, she was awarded an honorary doctorate for her contributions campaigning for transgender rights by the University of Brighton, and was recently appointed a National Advocate for UN Women UK. Her first film, "What Makes a Woman", premiered on Channel 4 in 2018.

Bergdorf said: "I’m so excited to be welcomed into the Bloomsbury Publishing family. This is a tough time for trans people living in the UK and around the world, so it means so much to be working on my first book with the largest independent publishing house in the country. By sharing my lived experience as a black trans woman, I hope that this book will serve to open more minds, start important conversations and help to educate all kinds of people in a way that brings us closer to a global consciousness—especially during this time of division."

Bloomsbury will publish the work in 2021.