S&S UK pre-empts Bishop's debut in two-book deal

Simon & Schuster UK has pre-empted journalist Caroline Bishop’s "uniquely beautiful" debut novel in a two-book deal.

Editor Rebecca Farrell pre-empted UK and Commonwealth rights to The Other Daughter and one other book from Hayley Steed at Madeleine Milburn Agency. The Other Daughter is set for release in summer 2020 as a paperback original.

“The Other Daughter has a dual narrative that brilliantly explores the themes of motherhood and feminism, identity and belonging,” the synopsis reads. "It follows the lives of two women: one a young journalist in the 1970s, reporting on the Swiss women’s rights movement from a male-dominated Fleet Street newsroom, who discovers that she is pregnant. The other who is on a desperate search, in present- day London, to learn the truth about the time that her mother spent in Switzerland and to unravel the mystery surrounding her own birth."

Farrell said of the debut novel: “We all fell in love with the characters whom Caroline has created, the richly explored historical context, and the ideas set forth about motherhood that are as relevant today as they were over four decades ago. This is a novel that urges you to consider how different your life would have been had you been born in another place or at another time, and whether there is a ‘right’ way to be a woman.”

Bishop said: “I’m delighted to have found a wonderful home for The Other Daughter at Simon & Schuster UK. It’s been amazing to hear such enthusiasm for my story, first from my agent Hayley and now from Rebecca and the team at S&S, and I’m so excited to work with them all in the run-up to publication.”

Steed described the book as “a uniquely beautiful story”. She said that “set against a Swiss backdrop and the 1970s women’s rights movement, I was transported into the battle for equality and simultaneously moved by the themes of motherhood and identity which Caroline explores so wonderfully”.

“This debut ultimately champions the multiple ways women live their lives, and how we can support and respect each other’s choices.,” Steed commented. “I’m thrilled that the S&S team love Caroline’s novel as much as I do and can’t wait to see them publish the book next year.”

Bishop, is a British journalist who has lived in Switzerland for over six years. Formerly the editor of TheLocal.ch, an English-language Swiss news site, she became fascinated with aspects of Swiss history and culture, particularly the evolution of women’s rights. Bishop has contributed to publications including the Guardian, the Independent, the Telegraph and BBC Travel, writing mainly about Switzerland where she now lives. Caroline co-wrote the 2019 edition of the DK Eyewitness Guide to Switzerland.