Hodder snares two new novels from Gayle as it celebrates 25 years since debut

Hodder & Stoughton has acquired two new novels by Mike Gayle, and unveiled A Song of Me and You, a new novel forthcoming on 6th July 2023 that forms part of a prior acquisition.

Publisher Nick Sayers acquired UK and Commonwealth rights excluding Canada to the two new titles from Ariella Feiner of United Agents. Hodder will publish them in the UK and Commonwealth, excluding Canada, in hardback, paperback, audio and e-book. They will be published in July 2024 and July 2025 respectively. The deal for A Song of Me and You was part of a two-book deal made in April 2020, which included The Museum of Ordinary People and A Song of Me and You.

A Song of Me and You will be published on 6th July 2023 and forms part of the anniversary celebrations as the publisher marks 25 years since publishing Gayle’s debut, My Legendary Girlfriend.

The publisher described A Song of Me and You as “a rollercoaster of emotions, full of love and hope, and relatable characters who will stay with readers long after the final pages".

To mark the silver anniversary of My Legendary Girlfriend, Hodder will also be publishing a new paperback edition in September, and the author’s most recent novel, The Museum of Ordinary People, will be released in paperback on 16th March 2023 and will be backed by a major marketing campaign.

Sayers said: “Mike’s writing has evolved over the years, but what he has always done is to write about real people and real emotions in a way that is totally involving. So many readers see their own dilemmas and dramas reflected in his work.

“In the last few years, Mike has been absolutely flying, with a Richard and Judy selection, a Sara Cox TV Book Club selection, and a phenomenal increase in digital sales. And 2023 is set to be his biggest year yet, with a campaign running from now right through to Christmas. We are so excited about the paperback of Mike’s brilliant novel The Museum of Ordinary People, and then A Song of Me and You, which is heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure, will take things to another level again."

Gayle said: “Over the years I’ve made it my mission to create characters that even the most cynical of readers have no choice but to root for, but with Ben and Helen, even I fell under their spell. And I hope that, like me, not only will you instantly fall in love with them, but from the moment they’re reunited (after a 25-year break) you’re going to be willing them on through all their trials and tribulations.”

Feiner added: “To celebrate 25 years of being published is a phenomenal achievement and it is wonderful to see the plans coming together for this special anniversary year. Mike’s novels always break my heart, but then he cleverly fits the pieces back together again with his memorable characters. To watch Mike get better and better with each book is a joy.”