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Sphere has snapped up Irish-set “bookish romcom” from Catherine Walsh, in a two-book deal, as she moves over from Bookouture. Senior commissioning editor Molly Walker-Sharp acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in a significant two-book deal from Hannah Schofield at LBA Literary Agency. North American rights went to Cassidy Sachs at Dutton (PRH US) and Deborah Sun de la Cruz at Penguin Canada in a major six-figure pre-empt.
Translation rights have been sold to publishers in seven territories, including France (Talent), Germany (Goldmann), Lithuania (Sofoklis), Netherlands (AW Bruna), Poland (Kobiece), Spain (PRH) and Sweden (Pirat). Screen rights are represented by Mary Pender at WME.
The new romance novel is set for publication in March 2026. Previously published by Bookouture, Catherine Walsh is the bestselling author of five romcoms, her most recent of which is Snowed In.
Walsh said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Molly and the incredible team at Sphere for How to Write a Love Story. This book has been in my head for years, and I knew from our first conversation that they were the perfect fit to help bring these characters to life. I hope readers will love it just as much as I do!”
Walker-Sharp said: “Very occasionally a book comes along that you fall head over heels for from the very first page, and with How to Write a Love Story I was besotted from the first syllable! Catherine knows exactly the way to any romance girly’s heart: her writing is witty, gloriously readable and oh-so-hot; her characters are relatable and lovable in equal measure; the narrative is dual-POV so features double the desire and twice the spice; and she’s thrown in a bookish backdrop and an Irish summer setting to boot! We can’t wait to introduce readers to Ciara and Sam!”
Schofield said: “Catherine Walsh’s novels never fail to enthral, and How to Write a Love Story is her best yet. It’s been a real joy to see a match for my huge enthusiasm from Molly and the Sphere team in the UK, plus Cassidy and Deborah across the pond. I can’t wait for this exciting new chapter in Catherine’s career.”