Orion snaps up ‘heartwarming’ novel inspired by the queue to see the Queen’s coffin

Alexandra Heminsley’s “delightfully heartwarming” new novel The Queue, inspired by the hours-long queue to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II earlier this year, has gone to Orion Fiction.

Charlotte Mursell, publishing director, acquired world all-language rights from Sophie Lambert at C&W. Orion will publish The Queue on 3rd August 2023 in paperback, e-book and audio.

Described by the publisher as “wonderfully moving and utterly relatable”, The Queue tells the “unforgettable” story of three strangers—19-year-old Abbie, 40-year-old Mike and 63-year-old Janet—who meet in Southwark Park on 17th September 2022, "a day that will change their lives forever".

The synopsis continues: “Over the next 24 hours, alongside 250,000 others, friendships are formed, celebrities are spotted and rom-com dreams are ignited. As the unlikely trio wind along the Thames, edging ever closer to Westminster and the Queen, it’s clear that they have unknowingly become a part of history—and that when they finally leave the queue, their worlds will never be the same again."

Heminsley is an author, journalist, broadcaster and speaker. Her books include Running Like a Girl (Scribner), Under the Same Stars (Sphere) and Leap In (W W Norton).

Mursell said: “Ever since I watched the queue wind past our offices for those five days in September, like so many others clamouring out on social media, I’ve hoped that someone would write the story of The Queue.

“Alexandra’s delightfully heartwarming novel has captured the imagination of everyone at Orion—just as the real queue did—whether you were in it, fascinated by it or completely baffled by it. If there’s anything Brits love, it’s queuing, but I’m thrilled that we won’t be keeping readers waiting too long to meet the wonderful Abbie, Mike and Janet!”

Heminsley commented: "Like so many of us, I experienced the queue via the family WhatsApp—my brother queued while none of us could make it to London. I found it fascinating watching the intergenerational dynamics at play on both a family and a national level, and I’m so excited to be spending time writing about these characters, what they stand for—and how long they stood for.”

Lambert said: “I can’t think of anyone who could better offer up a glimpse into the nation’s state of mind at this strange and pivotal point in history than Alexandra, and The Queue introduces us to an instantly unforgettable cast of characters.”