HarperFiction acquires Jay McKenzie's How to Lose the Lottery

HarperFiction has acquired Jay McKenzie’s debut novel, How to Lose the Lottery.

In a two-book, six-figure deal, publishing director Martha Ashby bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Hellie Ogden at WME, who turned down multiple pre-empt attempts. HarperFiction will publish in hardback in Spring 2026, while Florence Dodd at WME has accepted an immediate six-figure German pre-empt from DTV.

"How to Lose the Lottery is a rich, moving love story of working-class Edie, the life-changing lottery win that catapults her and her husband Ron into a world Edie isn’t sure she wants, and the ghosts from the past they must lay to rest," the synopsis says. "Set in northeast England, it alternates between the roots of Edie and Ron’s love story in the swinging sixties, and the lottery win that sends their lives spiralling further and further out of control. Tired of gambling with what she’s been dealt, a new friendship becomes the catalyst for Edie to uncover the secrets of the past, and she realises it’s time to bet on herself instead."

Ashby said of the book: "It’s a joyful and painful imagining of the mixed blessing of a huge lottery win, and at heart a book to remind all of us not to take love for granted."

McKenzie added: "It sounds clichéd, but this is a dream come true! I am so grateful to Hellie and Martha."