Hodder to publish first book of '99% Invisible' podcaster Roman Mars

Hodder & Stoughton is publishing the first book by Roman Mars, creator of the podcast 99% Invisible, for "fans of the show and anyone curious about design, urban environments, and the unsung marvels of the world around them".

Huw Armstrong, commissioning editor for non-fiction, bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Siobhan O’Neill at WME, to publish in hardback, e-book and audiobook in October 2020. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will publish the book in the US.

In The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to Hidden World of Everyday Design, host Mars and co-author Kurt Kohlstedt will focus on the various elements that make our cities work, exploring the origins and stories behind everything from power grids and fire escapes to drinking fountains and street signs. The entries are "deeply researched" and complemented by line drawings throughout, with the aim of helping readers to "discover the beauty, and unexpected history, of the world around them".

The podcast has over 300 million downloads, making it "one of the most popular podcasts in the world", according to Hodder & Stoughton. It started as a conversation about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about—the unnoticed architecture and design that shapes our world. This will be the first book from the podcast.

Armstrong said: "'99% Invisible' is one of a kind. It’s one of the most creative and innovative podcasts out there and with this book, Roman and Kurt have written something truly brilliant. They are able to weave together interesting history and fascinating insights seamlessly. This is a book for anyone who has ever looked at a city and thought: why is it designed that way? Fans of the podcast are going to love it, as is everyone else."