HQ acquires two 'uplifting and nostalgic' novels from Dockrill

HQ has acquired the first two adult novels from children’s author Laura Dockrill.  

Emily Kitchin, editorial director, secured world English-language rights prior to her going on maternity leave from Ariella Feiner at United Agents. Clare Gordon, editorial director, will publish the first book in the contract, I Love You, I Love You, I Love You,  in June 2024.

The story has Ella and Lowe meeting as teenagers. For Ella, it is love at first sight but "love from afar, as to stay in the friend zone she can’t get hurt," says the blurb. The two share everything—"grief, laughter, bottles of cider and cigarettes in the rain. Over the next 15 years Ella feels lucky to have his friendship . . .but can you ever really be just friends with the love of your life?"

Dockrill is a children’s author and illustrator whose books include the middle-grade Daisy Burdock series. She has also written What Have I Done? (Square Peg) a memoir of her postpartum depression. 

She said: "I’ve loved my now husband Hugo [White from indie band The Maccabees] for over 20 years (mostly from afar) as an embarrassing, desperate misfit that never had the courage to do anything about it. I honestly never thought I’d end up marrying my first crush but it turned out he felt the same all along. I Love You, I Love You, I Love You tells that story but it’s also a love story between me and my teenage self.” 

Gordon said: “Romeo and Juliet. Lizzie and Darcy. Kate and Leo. Ella and Lowe. Laura Dockrill has crafted an epic love story that absolutely deserves a place in the canon.” 

Feiner added: “While I Love You, I Love You, I Love You made me cry with happiness, it is also one of the funniest novels I have ever read and made me absolutely cackle with laughter. It is a truly uplifting and nostalgic hug of a book. It feels like just the tonic we all need right now.”