S&S Children’s Books pre-empts brand consultant McKenna’s guide to fandom

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has acquired Look What You Made Me Do, described as “the ultimate nonfiction examination of fandom, social media and what it means to be a Taylor Swift fan” by brand and marketing consultant Kat McKenna.

World all-language rights were pre-empted by editorial director Yasmin Morrissey from Chloe Seager at the Madeleine Milburn Agency. Look What You Made Me Do will be a focus title for Simon & Schuster at the Frankfurt Book Fair, with Spanish rights already acquired in a pre-emptive deal.

The publisher says the book will be publishing in a “covetable” and high-spec paperback in May 2024 to coincide with the arrival of Swift’s Eras Tour in the UK and Ireland. It will explore the culture of fandom in all its forms, with topics including the history of fans, gossip sites, parasocial relationships, stalkers and more.

The publisher added: “And with Kat’s keen interest in the Swifties fanbase in particular, she will examine SwiftTok culture, the hierarchy of Swift’s fanbase, how Taylor has built her empire, and what the future holds for the fans.”

Morrissey said: “Kat is a refreshing and compelling new voice, who has tapped into this zeitgeisty topic in a unique and reimagined way. As a self-proclaimed ‘fangirl’ herself, Kat’s distinctive take on the highs and lows of fandom serves as a love letter to fans everywhere. Look What You Made Me Do will be a lead title for us in 2024 and an example of the exciting things to come at S&S as we focus on ambitious growth and expansion of the list.”

McKenna said: “I’ve always loved working with the gorgeous team at S&S, and know all too well what an incredible force they are in the publishing industry. I am utterly enchanted to have them publish my first book, and for their mastermind team to get it out into the market. As a long-term fangirl of Taylor Swift, and passionate advocate for fan culture and youth identity, Look What You Made Me Do has been a truly special project for me to write. I hope that every reader will find their own love story represented in the pages, and understand just how special it is to be a fan.”

Seager added: “The moment I knew I had to work on this book was as soon as it dropped into my inbox, and it was clear Kat belonged with S&S as soon as we shared it with them. This is the book of Taylor Swift fans’ wildest dreams and the world isn’t ready for it.”