Faber pre-empts Hickson-Lovence's second novel

Faber has pre-empted Ashley Hickson-Lovence's second novel, due for publication in spring 2022. 

Publishing director Angus Cargill bought world rights to Your Show from Philippa Sitters at David Godwin Associates. The novel tells the story of Uriah Rennie, who came to Sheffield from Jamaica in the 1970s to become the only black referee in the history of the Premier League. 

Cargill described Your Show as "vivid, alive, and important – one of the most exciting new British novels I’ve read in years, it puts you right there in the media glare of late ‘90s, early ‘00s Britain,  bringing to life the experiences of this complex and trailblazing figure".

Hickson-Lovence's debut novel, The 392, was published by OWN It! and London-based production company Second Generation bought dramatic rights to the debut last year.

The author, who is a former teacher, and currently completing a PhD in creative and critical writing at the University of East Anglia, said: "To publish this novel based on a sporting hero of mine, with my dream publisher, is more than I could have hoped for. I have long been a fan of Faber books and I am grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on Uriah’s career at a time when it matters most."