Sphere to publish new Myers rom-com in 2024 

Sphere will publish Leading Man, the brand-new rom-com from Justin Myers, who also writes under the pseudonym The Guyliner, in May 2024. Becky Thomas at Lewinsohn Literary sold UK and commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to Cal Kenny, commissioning editor for Sphere fiction. 

Leading Man follows Leo, a 30-something drama teacher in Edinburgh. Leo’s content to be in the background, letting his louder, more charismatic best friends shine. It’s always been safer that way. 

But, suddenly, he is forced to step into the role of leading man. A gorgeous love interest steps out of the wings, Leo’s pushed to his limits by his overenthusiastic new boss and – strangest of all – he begins to question whether the friends he loves so dearly have been holding him back. 

Myers is the author of The Last Romeo, a BBC2 Between the Covers Book Club selection, The Magnificent Sons and The Fake-Up, all of which were published by Little, Brown. He is also known for his work as The Guyliner and his Impeccable Table Manners blog.  

Myers said: “I think we all know a Leo, the dependable sidekick who prefers the shadows. I wanted to go deep on the inequalities of friendship groups, but have a lot of fun with the dynamic too – the kind of pals you’d give your life for, but are still happy to leave on read when their ceaseless dazzle starts to get on your nerves. Working on Leading Man with the very talented and intuitive Cal was a blast and I think we’ve got a really special one here. I loved building Leo’s world and I can’t wait to share it with readers.” 

Kenny said: “Justin Myers gets better and better. He has the keenest eye for observational comedy of any writer I know and crafts nuanced relationships between lovable, flawed characters. He is a master at simultaneously employing and skewering romantic tropes in the most artful way possible, and I’m proud to publish him.” 

Thomas said: “A new manuscript of Justin’s landing in my inbox is always a treat rather than work – I know what’s coming is going to be smart and relatable, taking complex issues and characters but being guided along with such ease, humour and assurance, and somehow excelling his own high standards every time.”