Granta wins Crisell’s 'insider’s guide to writing' in five-way auction

Granta Books has triumphed in a five-way auction for journalist Hattie Crisell’s untitled book about creative inspiration, based on her popular podcast “In Writing”.

Associate publishing director Laura Barber acquired UK and Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Imogen Pelham and Diana Beaumont at Marjacq for publication in autumn 2024.

In the book, Crisell invites a host of writers to share their secrets, asking where ideas come from, how stories find their shape and what success looks like. 

The synopsis continues: “The answers are as revelatory and entertaining as they are diverse. Here we meet the novelist who is haunted by one particular adjective from a critical review; the screenwriter who thrives on the adrenaline of a fast-approaching deadline; the journalist who writes in a darkened room; and the writer who finds writing retreats too relaxing. Taken as a whole, these interviews amount to an insider’s guide to the writing process: its disciplines and demands; its ecstasies and agonies; its morning coffees, word counts and publishing hurdles.”

Barber commented: “I have a real soft spot for books that take you behind the scenes of a particular world, so Hattie’s proposal immediately captured my imagination. We at Granta feel proud to be publishing Hattie, with a book which promises to be an invaluable inspiration to anyone who harbours a desire to write, as well as an irresistible gift for book lovers.”

Crisell added: “I know Laura and the team at Granta will provide the perfect, thoughtful home for the book. The conversations I’ve had with novelists, screenwriters and more for the ‘In Writing’ podcast have been some of the most inspiring of my life. I couldn’t be more excited to develop the project into a book.”