Octopus snaps up James Middleton's 'unique' memoir, Meet Ella, in a six-way auction

Octopus Publishing Group’s’ Radar imprint has acquired Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life by James Middleton, after triumphing in a hotly-contested auction between six publishers.

Publisher Briony Gowlett acquired world rights from Ruth Cairns at Featherstone Cairns. Publicity will be handled by Riot Communications, and the book will be published on 26th September 2024.

"James Middleton is a devoted dog lover with four Cocker Spaniels, two Golden Retrievers, and a passion for volunteering with charities including Pets as Therapy, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Dogs Trust," the synopsis says. "Meet Ella is the story of his beloved first pup, who bounded into James’ life when he was just 20 years old. Ella and James formed an unbreakable bond and went everywhere together, from Scottish mountain sides to royal weddings. In a romantic gesture, Ella helped James introduce himself to his future wife, Alizee, a fellow dog lover."

The synopsis adds: "But James and Ella’s connection runs much deeper than that. Threaded through this life-affirming story of one man’s love for his dog is an honest account of James’s battle with clinical depression. During his most difficult times, Ella was the most devoted of friends, who loved James unconditionally, read his moods, and knew just when and how to intervene to help him. Ella was even the reason that James went to therapy."

Middleton commented: “Ella was so much more than just a dog – she was part of me, a true companion, my closest confidante, and very often my therapist. My life would not have been the same without her and I wanted to commemorate her and the way that she helped me reconnect with the world at a time when I felt lost. I know that many other people will have had their own Ellas, or are perhaps in need of one right now, so I hope that this book will also help us to talk more openly about our mental health, our need for connection, and the way in which the animals that we think we are taking care of are always looking after us in return.”

Gowlett added: “There have already been several memorable moments in this book’s life: James lifting spirits to dizzying heights by bringing five of his six dogs to our pitch meeting; followers lighting up the comments section of James’ Instagram at merely the hint of James writing this book, and me, audibly sobbing on the tube as I read the final chapters. And I expect that’s just the start for this unique memoir. What has struck me most when editing Meet Ella, is how little we (the public) really know James, and therefore how lucky we are that he has been so generous and vulnerable in sharing a story that I believe will surprise and chime with readers far and wide.”