Radar publisher Gowlett makes sweep of acquisitions to kick off 2023 

Radar publisher Briony Gowlett has signed books by Soph Galustian, Annie Ridout and Dan Jones, all for publication in early 2023.

In June 2021, Gowlett left Hodder & Stoughton after eight years to lead the new imprint at Octopus. Over the past year Gowlett has launched a list specialising in mass-market non-fiction. The name of the imprint, Radar, was unveiled in autumn 2021.

Since launching, the imprint has published books such as Make Hay While the Sun Shines by farmer Tom Pemberton and Waypoints by author and actor Sam Heughan. According to bookshop Plackitt & Booth in Lytham, Lancashire, local author Pemberton’s debut has been their bestselling title ever in 20 years of bookselling.

Now Gowlett has made three new acquisitions to “further [Radar’s] mission to publish the people and subjects that connect us”. She bought UK and Commonwealth rights to No Worries if Not: A Funny(ish) Story of Growing Up Working-Class and Queer, a “gutsy” debut by comedy writer, actor and poet Soph Galustian from Dawn Sedgwick of Dawn Sedgwick Management, for publication in April 2023. It is described as “an unflinching and funny account of the testing moments growing up as a young, queer, working-class woman.”

Previously published by Fourth Estate, Annie Ridout is moving moves to Radar for her next book, Raise Your SQ: How to Use the Magic of Spiritual Intelligence to Unlock More Joy and Success. Gowlett acquired world English-language rights to the “part spiritual toolkit, part inspirational ‘how-to’” from Megan Staunton at Bergstrom Studio, and it will publish in late spring 2023.

Gowlett has also acquired world rights from Max Edwards of Aevitas Creative Management to Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend by Dan Jones, to be published on 12th January 2023. Featuring 50 profiles and illustrated portraits, it is described as “a celebration of gay gods and goddesses, sapphic saints, misunderstood mermen, lesbians of legend and transgender trailblazers”.

Gowlett said of Radar’s first year: “Even with nearly two decades of non-fiction experience, starting Radar has made me feel like the new kid on the block again. It’s been extremely rewarding (at times intimidating!) building a list of books that are championed by a community of readers but are also universal in their appeal.

“What I love about the Radar list is its intentional balance of books that can be eye-opening and purposeful, and those that are written purely for entertainment and joy… all of which we need more than ever. As we move into a challenging period for consumers, I hope we offer books that stand out and meet the needs and expectations of many.”

Octopus m.d. Anna Bond commented: “It has been a joy to support Briony in building Radar’s launch list over the last year and even better to see her first titles go straight into the Sunday Times bestseller list. I look forward to many more success stories from her in 2023.”