HarperCollins scoops book from social media stars Irving and dog Max

HarperCollins has acquired “a heartwarming tale” of the friendship between car crash survivor Kerry Irving and Max the Springer Spaniel after their story proved a social media hit.

HarperNonFiction editor Zoe Berville negotiated a deal for world rights directly with the author for Max The Miracle Dog, which will be published on 5th March 2020.

The publisher explained: “In 2006, Kerry Irving’s life changed forever when a traumatic car accident left him with severe spinal injuries and chronic pain. He went from cycling over 600 miles a month in the Lake District to being housebound and unemployed, struggling with severe depression, panic attacks and even thoughts of suicide. In his new book, Kerry speaks movingly about the extraordinary bond between man and man’s best friend, and how a chance encounter with a dog changed his life forever.”

Their adventures have been documented on Facebook page "Max Out in the Lake District" and Max has built up 120,000 followers across social media. The duo organise regular charity walks – so far raising over £124,000 to help others through their darkest days. Max was also the first therapy dog to visit Buckingham Palace and has posed on several occasions with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Irving said: “Max gave me back my self-esteem, a future, a new sense of confidence and a will to see the next day. Writing this book has been an emotional yet exciting experience and I’m thrilled to be working with the team at HarperCollins to publish it. I just hope it goes some way to repaying Max for everything he has done for me and that others find inspiration in our story.”

Berville added: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be publishing this remarkable story. Getting to know Kerry has been a joy – his honesty and determination are extraordinary, and his relationship with Max is testament to the special and sometimes life-saving bond that exists between a dog and its owner. I have no doubt that Max the Miracle Dog will inspire readers everywhere.”