Headline to publish former editor Nikola Scott's debut

Headline Publishing Group has acquired the debut of Nikola Scott, former editorial director at Little Brown, in a two-book deal.

Executive publisher Marion Donaldson acquired world rights to My Mother's Shadow and a second novel by Scott from agent Caroline Hardman of Hardman & Swainson.

Scott's debut novel is an "atmospheric" story of a woman who discovers the existence of a twin sister she never knew she had. Prompting questions why her mother kept her twin a secret, and why they were ever separated, the narrative moves between the near-present and the late 1950s, where her mother’s "heart-breaking" diaries tell of an idyllic Sussex summer and its shocking aftermath. 

Headline Review will publish in autumn 2017.

German-born Scott worked in book publishing as an editor in the US and then in the UK for 10 years, most recently as editorial director at Little, Brown, leaving her post at Sphere in 2011 after specialising in crime and thrillers. She now lives in Germany with her family.    

Hardman said: "It's been an absolute pleasure working with a pro like Nikola on her brilliant and moving debut, and I'm thrilled that she's found the perfect home with Marion and the team at Headline. I hope it's the start of a long and very successful partnership."

Donaldson said: "It’s fantastically exciting to be publishing a brand new writer with such talent. Nikola has created a compelling story that sensitively handles issues from bereavement to forced adoption while also introducing characters readers will quickly grow to love. The powerful emotional impact of the novel will stay with me and all her readers long after they close the last page of the book."

Picture: © Shelley DeJager