Icon bags Ruskin's 'unflinching' debut on year of casual sex

Icon has snapped up Ten Men by Kitty Ruskin, an account of her experiences as a young single woman exploring her sexuality over the course of a year.

Senior commissioning editor Ellen Conlon bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Anna Pallai at AMP Literary. The book is slated for publication in April 2024.

Described as an "unflinching story of [Ruskin’s] year of casual sex", the book recounts the author’s encounters with men as she explores her sexuality.

The synopsis reads: "An honest and sometimes painfully graphic account of what it’s like to be a young, single woman exploring her sexuality and sleeping around: the prevalence of sexual assault and rape; the ‘blurred lines’ even the ‘nice guys’ exploit; the lack of clarity around what is and isn’t acceptable. As the year culminates, the question Kitty really wants answered, is: why aren’t women allowed to have the fun, easy, no-strings sex that single men enjoy?"

Conlon said: "There is so much to love about this book. Kitty’s writing is full of honesty and humour and as a reader you are immediately drawn to her. It’s therefore even more hard-hitting when you have to bear witness to the shocking experiences she encounters – which she is made to feel are normal, expected and every day, but in reality are far from it, and instead shine a bright light on the changes desperately needed within our society.

"Kitty is such a fresh new voice and I’m really excited that Icon is increasingly able to support debut writers in this way as it expands. I can’t wait to watch as Kitty’s career grows."

Ruskin is an assistant audience editor at Time magazine, where she specialises in writing about technology and mental health. She was previously a writer and social media expert at the Times and Sunday Times. 

"I’m so excited to sign with Icon Books and to share Ten Men with the world," she said. "It’s a deeply personal story, but one which will be sadly relatable to many female readers. I hope it can contribute to conversations about consent and sexual assault, and that by talking more openly about these issues we can work against the normalisation of rape."

Pallai added: "I’m thrilled that Icon will be publishing Ten Men. I loved this book from the very first page, and I’m sure that Kitty’s unique voice, combined with her candour and humour, will resonate with many, many women."