Sandycove bags Notaro's debut novel on the world of influencers

Sandycove has acquired journalist and editor Vicki Notaro’s first novel, which delves into the world of online influencers, to be published in 2024.

Patricia Deevy, deputy publisher, bought world rights from agent Faith O’Grady at the Lisa Richards Agency.

The synopsis reads: “This glamourous, funny and dramatic story, set in New York, Los Angeles and Kerry, follows the lives of Portia, a New York-based screenwriter, her Irish mother, Dessie, the star of a glitzy reality TV show, and her sister Lavinia, a former top model-turned-successful lifestyle influencer. When Portia’s goes through a devastating personal crisis, she takes off to Los Angeles to recover but finds that her sister and mother are dealing with crises of their own: Lavinia’s apparently perfect marriage is falling apart in full public glare, and Dessie is behaving in a very strange way…” 

Notaro said: “I’ve wanted to write a novel (or 10) since I was about eight years old – in fact, I did write one when I was 11, and wish I still had the manuscript! This opportunity from Penguin Sandycove has come at the perfect time, and I am so excited to pour all the knowledge I’ve gleaned editing glossy magazines and bingeing reality TV into my fictional family. Thrilled is not the word!”

Deevy added: “It is a total joy to have acquired Vicki’s debut novel. Her writing is full of sass, humour and glamour – just the kind of delicious escapism that is perfect for the 2020s – while also exploring a theme that will resonate with so many women: how to be true to yourself. While the juicy insider insights into the worlds of influencers and reality TV are wildly entertaining and sometimes jaw-dropping, at its heart this is a gripping read about three inspiring women. Perfection!”

Notaro has been working as a journalist and editor for over 15 years. Among the publications her work has appeared in are the Irish Times, Glamour, Irish Tatler and Lonely Planet. She has also edited lifestyle titles at the Irish Independent and was editor-in-chief of Stellar Magazine for six years.