Sphere and Hachette Ireland sign two-book deal with Roisin Meaney

Sphere and Hachette Books Ireland have jointly signed Roisin Meaney’s Moving On, a "warm-hearted" love story set in Ireland. 

Molly Walker-Sharp, senior commissioning editor, UK, and Ciara Doorley, Irish editor and publishing director, acquired world English language rights in a two-book deal from Sallyanne Sweeney at MMB Creative. Moving On is slated for publication in February 2025. 

Following protagonist Ellen Sheehan through "significant" house moves, the novel asks: "the average person moves eight times in their lifetime, but are you moving closer to your destiny of further away?"

Meaney commented: "I am beyond thrilled to have secured this exciting joint publishing deal with Hachette Books Ireland and Sphere. I can’t wait for the first of the books to hit the shelves and look forward to working with Ciara and Molly into the future and to connecting with lots more UK readers. Big thanks as ever to my agent Sallyanne Sweeney for all her hard work on my behalf." 

Walker-Sharp said: "Moving On reminded me of my perennial favourite comfort watches, One Day and Love Life, and takes the similarly ordinary concept of a house move to weave an extraordinary tale of growing: up, apart, and into who you’re meant to be." 

Doorley added: "We’re delighted to be publishing this beloved Hachette author with Molly and her team at Sphere. In Moving On, Roisin tells the story of one woman’s loves and losses over the course of her life and in doing so, she transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. We couldn’t be more excited about introducing even more readers to the magic of Roisin Meaney’s storytelling."