David Nicholls moves to Sceptre with new novel You Are Here

David Nicholls is moving to Hodder & Stoughton’s literary imprint Sceptre for the publication of his new novel, You Are Here. Nicholls was formerly published on the main Hodder & Stoughton list.

Sceptre executive publisher Federico Andornino acquired UK and Commonwealth excluding Canada rights to You Are Here and two more novels in a deal struck with Jonny Geller at Curtis Brown. 

You Are Here will be published by Sceptre on 23rd April 2024 as the imprint’s biggest book of the year – and as a landmark event across the whole of Hodder & Stoughton. Publication will be supported by an “unmissable” publicity and marketing campaigns and a major book tour.

Described as “a love story of first encounters, second chances and finding the way home”, You Are Here follows Marnie and Michael, two lost souls looking for a new lease on life.

Andornino said: “David Nicholls is one of the best – and most beloved – writers in the English language, a master storyteller who somehow manages to be laugh-out-loud funny and devastatingly moving on the same page. You Are Here is Nicholls at his very best: witty, unexpected, thoughtful, perfectly attuned to the motions of the human heart – and written in effortless, stunning prose. It’s a real honour (and a dream come true) to be working with him and to welcome him to the Sceptre list."

Nicholls said: “You Are Here is a love story in a classic style, a chamber piece that happens to take place on an epic journey from the west to east coast through the Lakes, the Dales and the Moors. It is, I hope, funny and touching, shifting between moods like the burgeoning friendship between Marnie and Michael. I’ve always loved writing dialogue and this book is all about conversation; how do we get to know another person, and perhaps fall in love with them? How does the public persona differ from the private story? What do we reveal and what do we hold back?

“It’s also a chance for me to write about something I love, the joy – and the occasional misery – of walking, both alone and in company. You Are Here is also a novel about change and new beginnings and so it seems apt that I get the opportunity to renew my partnership with Hodder & Stoughton by starting a new journey with Sceptre. This one has been a real pleasure to write, and I hope that comes across on the page.”

Geller said: “David’s new novel has all the Nicholls elements that his readers will love – funny, warm, wise – but this may be his most beautifully written and observed work thus far. And I am delighted to see Federico Andornino pick up the mantle from Nick Sayers and to see David start a new chapter of his career with Sceptre and Hodder.”