HQ falls for Love's 'uplifting' debut in two-book deal

HQ has snapped up two books from debut author Ryan Love. 

Cicely Aspinall, senior commissioning editor, acquired world all-language rights in an exclusive submission from Anne Perry at KI Agency. The first book, Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out, will publish in April 2023.  

The publisher described it as “a charming, feel-good story about the bond between a grandfather and grandson”. The synopsis said: “Seventy-nine-year-old Arthur Edwards has spent a lifetime in the closet, but now he’s finally ready to live the life he never felt he could. Twenty-one-year-old Teddy has friends who know he is gay, but he is not quite ready to tell his family. The two men have always been close, and now they will have to rely on each other as they navigate their way through old heartbreak and new love while learning to accept who they are.” 

Aspinall said: “There’s a wonderfully warm, heart-on-sleeve quality to Ryan’s writing and his characters that drew me in so completely. This is a hopeful, uplifting story that will melt even the coldest of hearts and make you laugh in the process. I know it will inspire people and show that it is never late to be true to yourself. Ryan is a star of the genre in the making and I can’t wait for readers to meet Arthur and Teddy!” 

Love added: “I am completely over the moon to be working with Cicely and the incredible team at HQ. I was blown away by Cicely’s love of the characters and understanding of the story. Family has been a huge inspiration in writing Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out. I was extremely lucky to come out to a loving and accepting family, something I never take for granted. Writing gave me the opportunity to weave two unique coming-out experiences together for one tight-knit family, who find themselves needing each other more than ever.  

“I never got to know either of my grandfathers, but in Arthur I created the grandparent I think we would all love to know we could turn to and confide in. I hope readers love sharing Arthur and Teddy’s adventure as much as I have writing it.”