HarperCollins strikes two-book deal with Mark Watson

HarperCollins has struck a two-book deal by award-winning comedian Mark Watson, with the first novel in the deal hotly tipped ahead of this month’s Frankfurt Book Fair.

Kimberley Young, publisher of general fiction, HarperFiction acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for two novels by Mark Watson from Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown. The first book, Contacts, is scheduled to publish in Autumn 2020. 

"Contacts is a thought-provoking novel that – with a sensitive mix of darkness and light – lifts the lid on male suicide, loneliness, and mental health," reads the synopsis. "As James boards the sleeper train to Edinburgh on a Saturday evening he sends a message to everyone in his phone contacts list, to tell them all that he plans to end his life in the morning. James then turns his phone off – job done. But for friends, family and near-strangers across the world, receiving this shocking message is only the beginning of their journeys."

Young said: "Contacts is one of those books that doesn’t come around very often. Mark has written a novel that’s timely and beautifully, cleverly written. I can’t wait to share it with the world and feel incredibly privileged to be working with Mark and this extraordinary novel."

Watson is an award-winning comedian who has also written for TV and radio – as well as publishing six other novels. He added: "I'm proud and excited to be publishing this novel – the best work that I've done so far – with a publisher that's on the kind of streak HarperCollins is at the moment. I believe this is the perfect place for me to tell this story, which is about what it means to be part of the world today, and how we can make it better for each other.  It's the beginning of what I think will be a striking and long-lasting creative partnership, and I can't wait to see how it plays out."

Summerhayes said: "Mark Watson is a funny, smart writer and that combined with the exceptional and ever-patient Kim Young is a special mix. This is a contemporary, courageous novel – I love it and readers will too."