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Kiran Millwood Hargrave's Parisian romance goes to Picador and Summit Books in 'substantial pre-empt'
Picador will publish Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, pitched by the publisher as a “blockbuster summer release” for 2026.
Picador publishing director Sophie Jonathan acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Hellie Ogden at WME, with North American rights sold by Dorian Karchmar at WME in what Picador dubbed “a substantial” pre-empt to Judy Clain, senior vice-president and publisher at Summit Books. Laura Bonner, partner and director of international rights at WME, is handling translation rights and is fielding offers.
Picador said: “Erica and Laure meet on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur in Paris, 1978. Erica is a student, relishing her first summer abroad before beginning university at home in England. Laure is studying for her PhD at the Sorbonne, drinking and smoking far too much and sleeping with a married woman. The moment the two women meet the spark is undeniable: but their encounter turns into far more than a summer of love. It is the beginning of a relationship that will define their lives and every decision they have yet to make.
“Erica and Laure’s love story spans decades, marriage, children, secret trysts and the agonising changes – both personal and political – that might mean they can be together, after all. But when life brings them within touching distance again, will they be brave enough to seize a future together?”
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Jonathan said: “When I first read Almost Life I could hardly breathe for excitement. Kiran’s writing has always been wonderful, but with Almost Life she has done something extraordinary. She has moved into a more contemporary setting and found an astonishing ensemble of characters and an unforgettable story – the whole thing just sings. Almost Life is the love story to end all love stories. Kiran’s fans will adore it, but so will readers of David Nicholls, Ann Patchett, and Colm Tóibín. 2026 almost feels too long to wait.”
Millwood Hargrave said: “Almost Life was a gift to write. Laure and Erica came alive for me from the moment they met, and writing their love story felt as natural as breathing and as miraculous as flying. I trust Sophie and Judy as immaculate tastemakers and exacting readers, and working with them is exhilarating. I can’t wait for readers to meet Erica and Laure and hopefully fall as wildly in love with them as I did.”
Millwood Hargrave is an award-winning writer whose work has been translated into over 30 languages and optioned for stage and screen. Her children’s books have won numerous international awards, including the Wainwright Prize, Children’s Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and have been shortlisted for numerous others. Her debut adult novel, The Mercies (Picador), was a bestseller in both the Times and Sunday Times lists and was recognised by various prizes, including the Betty Trask Award.
