Hillsborough campaigner Hicks' memoir goes to Seven Dials

Seven Dials will publish the memoir of “tireless” campaigner Jenni Hicks whose two daughters died in the Hillsborough disaster. 

Anna Valentine, executive publisher for Orion has acquired world rights to One Day in April by Hicks, mother of Sarah and Victoria who both died at Hillsborough. Rights were bought from Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock. The book will be published on 31st March 2022.  

Orion said: “On the 15th April 1989, Jenni was looking forward to a day out with her family to watch their beloved football team Liverpool play against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final. What Jenni didn’t know, however, was that as she parted ways with her daughters at the turnstiles to take her seat in the North stand, while her daughters and husband went to the Leppings Lane standing area, that this would be the last time she would see them alive.  

“Following severe overcrowding outside the ground, and a sequence of errors that caused a fatal crush in the central pens, both of Jenni’s daughters died and, ever since, Jenni has fought tirelessly for answers and accountability, on behalf of all 97 victims.” 

The publisher added: “In May 2021, the final court trial on the disaster collapsed and Jenni is now ready to share her untold, personal story: from a normal life as an ordinary, loving family, to one of chaos as her world is turned upside-down after the loss of her daughters and the following court cases, appeals and turmoil in her pursuit of the truth.”  

Ru Merritt, commissioning editor at Orion, said: “It is an extreme honour to be publishing One Day in April on the Seven Dials list. I will never forget reading Jenni’s manuscript for the first time and being overwhelmed by not just the sheer ordeal Jenni went through, but also the awe-inspiring strength she found to carry on and her tireless campaigning for justice following hurdles that many of us would simply have given up at. She is a force of nature and we are hugely inspired by Jenni at Orion. While the legal road has come to an end for those affected by the Hillsborough disaster, we are privileged to be continuing to shine a light on the very human stories that need to and should be shared.” 

Wilson commented: “Working with Jenni on this book has been a privilege, and I’ve been in constant awe of her strength, bravery and humility. This is a story three years in the writing, but over three decades in the making. I can’t wait for the world to finally hear her story – a mother’s story – and for readers to meet her daughters, and read about the incredible journey Jenni is still on.” 

Hicks was the vice-chair, and the longest-serving committee member, of the Hillsborough Families Support Group. She campaigned for justice for her daughters, and the other victims of the Hillsborough disaster, for over three decades, and continues to campaign for MP Maria Eagle's and Lord Michael Wills’ Public Advocate Bill, and the Public Authority (Accountability) Bill, that calls for transparency, candour and frankness from the police and public authorities, known as the "Hillsborough Law". 

Her story was featured in Jimmy McGovern’s 1996 film, “Hillsborough”, starring Christopher Eccleston and Annabelle Apsion. She lives in Liverpool, and also volunteers as a school governor for young people who have been excluded from mainstream education.