Hodder awards Birchall's ‘effervescent’ Eurovision-inspired rom-com douze points 

Hodder & Stoughton has acquired Somewhere in the Crowd, an “effervescent romantic comedy inspired by Eurovision” from Katy Birchall, author of The Secret Bridesmaid (also Hodder), writing as Katrina Logan.

Olivia Barber, commissioning editor, bought world all language rights from Paul Moreton at Bell Lomax Moreton, on behalf of Justine Smith. Somewhere in the Crowd will be published by Hodder Fiction in paperback, e-book and audio on 20th April 2023.

Scheduled for publication ahead of the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, which will be held in Liverpool – the first time the UK has hosted the competition since 1998 – Somewhere in the Crowd is described by the publisher as “a joyous celebration of Eurovision fever, friendship, and finding where you belong".

Its synopsis continues: “Spanning 12 years of the iconic competition, the novel follows four fans as they reunite at each final across Europe, supporting each other through heartaches and triumphs. But as real life – and simmering romantic tensions – threaten to tear the group apart, it will need the magic of Eurovision to bring them together one last time.”

Barber said: “Think One Day (Hodder & Stoughton) meets Eurovision. Somewhere in the Crowd is an infectiously joyous novel that celebrates the Eurovision Song Contest from a fan perspective, in all its inclusive, sequinned, feelgood glory. If you’ve already booked your tickets to Liverpool, keep listening to ’Spaceman’ on repeat, or just love a delicious celebration of friendship and will-they-won’t-they romantic tension, this is the perfect read.”

Birchall said: “I feel so honoured to have worked with the fantastic team at Hodder on this novel which celebrates friendship, love and the utter joy of Eurovision. I had so much fun writing as Katrina Logan and I can’t wait for readers to be introduced to these four characters.”