Tay wins Headline's inaugural Modern Stories initiative with 'propulsive' thriller
Headline has acquired The Other Woman, the “propulsive” debut thriller from Tania Tay, winner of Headline’s inaugural Modern Stories initiative for un-agented and previously unpublished writers of commercial fiction from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, which launched last year.
Commissioning editor Bea Grabowska bought world rights from Hannah Schofield at LBA. The Other Woman will be published in summer 2024.
The novel’s synopsis reads: “Jade has the life she always wanted. Except, recently that isn’t enough. Her husband is never home, and when he is, he’s distant. She’s a constant source of disappointment to her mum, and even her children are starting to push her away. When she unexpectedly finds herself reconnecting with an old university friend, she starts to feel like herself again and as the women become closer, and Christina needs a place to stay, Jade welcomes her into their chaotic family home. But when Jade discovers a suspicious text on her husband’s phone, she soon starts questioning those around her.”
In association with The Future Bookshelf – the home for Hachette UK’s creative writing programmes – Headline partnered with a select number of book bloggers, including The Candid Book Club, Shikha Chopra of Unfolding Pages, Amyn Bawa-Allah of LipGlossMaffia and Nicola Soremekun of Booked Up and Busy, to find a new voice in crime and thriller fiction.
Grabowska said: “Compulsive and heart-stopping in equal measure, Tania’s writing impressed the entire judging panel and, despite the fierce competition, was the unanimous winner across the board. The Other Woman is a gripping and addictive novel that delves into the darker side of motherhood and female friendship. I am delighted to be welcoming Tania to the Headline family and can’t wait to publish her adult debut next year.”
Tay, an advertising copywriter who is also a children’s author, writing under the pen name of Crystal Sung, said: “I was so thrilled when my novel won the Modern Stories initiative – thank you to all the bloggers who read it! It’s been amazing to work with Bea Grabowska at Headline on The Other Woman – a published novel with my name on it really is a dream come true.”
Schofield said: “I was so excited to sign with the phenomenally talented Tania Tay after her Modern Stories competition win, and I can’t wait to see Bea and the Headline team launch The Other Woman next year.”
