'Bold and brilliant' book from Dawn O'Porter to HC

HarperCollins has acquired the debut adult novel from broadcaster and columnist Dawn O’Porter. The publisher will release The Cows on 6th April 2017.

Kimberley Young, commercial women’s fiction publisher, bought world all language rights for two novels in a six-figure deal.

"Unapologetic, fearlessly frank and funny, The Cows is a powerful novel about three modern women who are living life the best way they can – judging each other, but also judging themselves", the publisher said.

O’Porter said: "I remember when I first moved to London nearly 15 years ago and I stood staring at the doors of HarperCollins thinking 'one day I’ll be in there'. Well I got there eventually and couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m so ready to venture into adult fiction and it’s so encouraging to have the support of such a brilliant publishing house behind me."

Young said: "This is the book I’ve been waiting all of my publishing career to publish – it’s like it was written for me, but I have a feeling I won’t be the only one thinking that. Dawn is a creative powerhouse, there is no emotion she doesn't explore head on, which is why it is so exciting to take Dawn to a whole new audience. The Cows is brave, funny, searingly honest – and definitely adult – and it’s the fiction debut everyone’s going to be talking about #dontfollowtheherd."

O'Porter's debut young adult novel Paper Aeroplanes (Hot Key) was published in 2013, and told the story of a friendship between two 15 year old girls on the cusp of adulthood. It has sold 50,000 copies, according to the publisher and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.