Piatkus acquires Amy Dowden memoir in eight-way auction

Piatkus has acquired Amy Dowden’s memoir Dancing in the Rain in an eight-way auction.

Non-fiction publisher Jillian Young acquired world rights in the memoir from Morwenna Loughman at The bks Agency, for publication on 5th September 2024.

Dowden is best known for her work as a dancer on "Strictly Come Dancing". She is also a breast cancer and Crohn’s awareness advocate.

"In Dancing in the Rain, Amy Dowden shares her journey from growing up in the Welsh valleys to dancing on the glittering stage of prime-time television," the synopsis says. "Through her debilitating illness as a teen and her recent chemotherapy treatment for Stage 3 breast cancer, Amy’s is a story of an unbreakable spirit with an irrepressible joy for life and dance; she is living proof that our darkest times do not define us."

Dowden said: "This is a real pinch-me moment and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Jill and the team. Above all I hope that my journey will inspire readers and help them to believe in themselves, and think, ‘If Amy can do it, so can I!’"

Young added: "Anyone who knows Amy from "Strictly" or has been watching her bravely journey through her cancer diagnosis and treatment will know that she is light in darkness personified. I am so proud and honoured to be working with her and to publish her book on the Piatkus list. I know she will give readers the hope and courage that they may need, whatever they are facing."