Radio presenter Robin Ince signs two book deal with Atlantic

Comedian and BBC Radio 4 presenter Robin Ince has signed a two-book deal with Atlantic Books.

His first title - I’m a Joke and So Are You - is set to be published in September 2017.

Editorial director Mike Harpley won UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada) rights from Charlie Viney at The Viney Agency in what the publisher said was a "competitive auction".

I’m a Joke and So Are You is a "witty and informative" exploration of the human condition. A fusion of memoir, comedy, psychology and neuroscience, Ince sets out to discover why he’s made the big choices he has in life, and what makes us who we are.

"A primer to the brain without the textbooks, this fascinating book will amuse, inform, and give you an invaluable insight into yourself (and Robin), while also treating you to his hilarious musings on the big questions in psychology", the publisher said.

The second book, Happiness Through Science, will "show how thinking scientifically and curiously is not merely pragmatic, it also makes living more delightful". Informed by interviews with a bevy of leading scientists, it takes its cue from comedy and science radio series "Infinite Monkey Cage" in blending science and humour. Happiness Through Science is due to publish in Autumn 2018.

Harpley said: “Robin wowed us when he came in our office and we all agreed that we’d love to work with him. He’s an incredibly erudite and funny man. I am delighted he will be a central part of Atlantic’s non-fiction list for several years to come.”

Ince co-presents the science show "Infinite Monkey Cage" on BBC Radio 4 with professor Brian Cox, now in its 14th series. The show has won the Rose D’Or Award for Best Talk Show, the Sony Award for best factual and The Royal Society Award for Best Comedy. Ince has won the Time Out Outstanding Achievement in Comedy, was nominated for a British Comedy Award for Best Live show, and has won three Chortle Awards.