Tatler journo Money-Coutts' signs two with HQ

HarperCollins will publish two books by Tatler journalist Sophia Money-Coutts following a pre-empt including a “gloriously escapist” debut novel.

HQ editor Charlotte Mursell negotiated the deal for HarperCollins with Rebecca Ritchie at A M Heath after an initial pre-empt.

The HarperCollins imprint will be publishing the first book, The Plus One, in hardback, e-book and audio on 14th June 2018. HarperCollins has accepted a German pre-empt from Penguin Verlag on the eve of the Frankfurt Book Fair and they will be publishing in summer 2019.

The Plus One is a “laugh-out-loud story” about a single, 30-something Londoner, Polly Spencer, who is growing frustrated with life while working at Posh! Magazine. Her latest piece is on the infamous Jasper, Marquess of Milton, who attempts to charm her.

Mursell said: “Snorting into one’s cereal is simply part of the reading experience when it comes to this book, it’s both gloriously escapist and toe-curlingly honest – finally, a heroine who is just as dreadful at life as the rest of us. Sophia’s brilliant debut is the story that women across the country have been waiting for.”

Money-Coutts said: “I am more excited about The Plus One being published by Charlotte Mursell and the wonderful team at HQ than the time I nearly met Prince William when I was 14. I hope it’s a story which resonates with anyone else who feels like all their friends are getting promoted, getting married, buying houses and having babies, and yet their own life is so shambolic they can’t even remember to buy more loo roll on the way home.”