Prizewinning sports writer Calvin signs two with Century

Century is publishing two new titles by a multi-prizewinning writer of sports books, journalist Michael Calvin (pictured).

Calvin is currently up for a hat-trick of British Sports Book Awards. He was the first author to win the prize in successive years after the success of The Nowhere Men in 2014 and Proud (Ebury), a collaboration with Gareth Thomas in 2015. His latest book Living on the Volcano (Century) has again been shortlisted for the prize, which will be awarded in June.

The acquisition deal includes Calvin’s next book, No Hunger in Paradise that will complete his "football trilogy": The Nowhere Men tackled football scouts; Living on the Volcano examined the pressures on modern managers and No Hunger in Paradise will finally investigate "what it takes to make it as professional footballer in this country".

Based on hundreds of hours of interviews, it promises "an exhaustive, emotionally-engaging study" telling the stories of promising young players. It takes readers from inspirational projects on gang-controlled estates to strategic programmes run from Premier League training complexes, and meets the parents, teachers and coaches who have helped shaped the hopefuls.

It also examines the development system designed to meet England’s target of winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

No Hunger in Paradise will be published in hardback in May 2017, with an Arrow paperback the following year. Calvin’s second book will meanwhile "take him beyond football" and is scheduled for 2019. Ben Brusey, editorial director at Century bought world rights from Rory Scarfe at Furniss Lawton.

Brusey said: "Mike is simply one of the finest non-fiction writers in this country. Like all of the best sports books, Mike’s books are not really about sport at all; they are powerful human stories, told with heart and with great skill. We are honoured at Century to be Mike’s publisher, and know that these two new books will appeal to a very wide audience, taking his career to even greater heights."

Scarfe added: “Mike has been published by Century to great success with his last two books, and I am delighted that the relationship will continue for another two. This substantial two-book deal demonstrates their great ambition for Mike and recognises his place as a top name in non-fiction writing.”