James Arthur to publish memoir with Hodder

Singer songwriter James Arthur is publishing a memoir with Hodder and Stoughton on 5th October, called Back to the Boy. Arthur said he hoped the book would act as "a kind of self-help book", while telling his story, to help others overcome their adversities.

According to Hodder the book will be "a story of hope and self-discovery to inspire those who have ever hit rock-bottom and managed to pick themselves up again". Arthur's single "Say You Won’t Let Go" went to number one while his album Back From The Edge went platinum.

But as well as his successes, Back to the Boy will reflect on Arthur's past, including his setbacks, from a disrupted childhood - entering the care system in his teens – to his public fall from favour just months after winning the X-Factor. In the book, Arthur will also share his struggles with mental health issues, which led to drug-abuse, and how he dealt with the pressure and loneliness that accompanied his sudden rise to fame. 

Publisher Briony Gowlett acquired world rights from Rory Scarfe at Furniss Lawton.

Arthur said: "The thought behind this book is not just me wanting to tell my story in the standard autobiographical fashion but to create a kind of self-help book that includes my story. There are many things people don’t know about me and maybe when they read about those things they will have an understanding of the journey I have been on, why I’ve made the mistakes I have and hopefully help other people overcome their adversities."

Gowlett said: "There’s so much more to Back to the Boy than your average celebrity memoir. By sharing his own remarkable story James wants to help readers who are fighting their own personal battles."