S&S scoops two 'stunning' Vaughan novels in seven-figure deal

Simon & Schuster has struck a seven-figure international deal for two new novels from Sarah Vaughan, author of Anatomy of a Scandal (S&S)

Reputation, Vaughan's fifth novel and the first in the deal, is a political thriller set around Westminster, and tells the story of MP Emma Webster, who is implicated in the death of a tabloid journalist. Fighting to protect her reputation, and determined to protect her family at all costs, Emma is pushed to the limits as the worst happens and her life is torn apart in a very public way.

The novel will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in March 2022 in the UK and July 2022 in the US. It comes hot on the heels of the Netflix adaptation of Anatomy of a Scandal, due to hit screens early 2022. The Netflix series was developed by David E Kelley ("Big Little Lies") and Melissa James Gibson ("House of Cards") and stars Sienna Miller, Rupert Friend and Michelle Dockery. Vaughan’s 2020 novel Little Disasters (S&S) has also been optioned for screen by Roughcut TV.

The new book deal was struck by publishing director Clare Hey and Emily Bestler, senior vice-president and editor-in-chief at Atria Books US, from Lizzy Kremer at David Higham. More translation rights are set to be sold at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Hey said: "Sarah writes such thought-provoking, intelligent and compelling novels and has her finger firmly on the pulse of what matters to women. She is a master at portraying powerful women in impossible situations and Reputation is a stunning novel showing her at the heights of her powers. I am delighted we are bringing this to readers, along with our colleagues at Atria."

Kremer added: "Sarah tackles another burning hot issue for women and girls in this thrilling and moving novel: why do so many women still have to fight to protect their reputations in the 21st century? In Emma she has found a brilliant and flawed heroine who encapsulates the fears and frustrations of many of us."

Vaughan said: "S&S’ confident and creative publication of Anatomy of a Scandal and Little Disasters changed my life. I could not be more thrilled that they are publishing Reputation. I’m genuinely touched by their commitment to my writing, and am excited about Reputation, partly a courtroom drama; wholly an exploration of how women navigate life, whether as public figures or as teenage girls, in a world where social media has broken down all barriers of communication, and civility."