Fourth Estate snares new novel from Mellors in 'significant pre-emptive deal'

Fourth Estate has snared a new novel from Cleopatra and Frankenstein author Coco Mellors in a “significant pre-emptive deal”.

Katie Bowden, editorial director, secured UK and Commonwealth rights to Blue Sisters from Mollie Glick and Emily Westcott at CAA. North American rights sold to Sara Weiss at Ballantine. It will publish in 2024. 

Blue Sisters tells the story of three exceptional – and exceptionally different – sisters as they return to their family home in New York from their respective lives in Paris, London and LA in the wake of the death of their beloved fourth sister. As they are reunited whilst attempting to cope with this terrible loss, they must navigate addiction, grief and ambition and learn what it takes to fall in love with life again.

Bowden said: “Everyone at Fourth Estate has completely adored working with Coco on her beautiful debut novel Cleopatra and Frankenstein. We couldn’t wait to read what she wrote next and Blue Sisters is everything we imagined it would be and more. Coco is a deeply generous and emotionally astute writer, and in this new book she explores the complex relationships of sisterhood with all of her trademark humour, sensitivity and nuance. This book is moving, funny and utterly original and we couldn’t be prouder to be continuing to publish this brilliant author on our list." 

Mellors added: “As a Brit who moved to America in my teens, England hasn’t been the home I’ve lived in for some time, but it has always been the home that lives in me. This is a story about coming home, and I couldn’t imagine anyone better to bring it to the UK and Commonwealth than Katie and the Fourth Estate team. They are such a special publisher, thoughtful to both their writers and their readers, with whom they’ve fostered a uniquely vibrant and intimate community. I am so grateful for the way readers embraced Cleopatra and Frankenstein and I cannot wait for them to meet these sisters. I hope they love reading them as much as I loved writing them!”