Bookouture's Thread acquires 'inspiring' memoir

Thread, Bookouture's non-fiction imprint, will publish Coconut, a memoir of "belonging, identity and finding home" by debut author Florence Olajide.

Publisher Claire Bord acquired world all language rights direct from the author. The memoir will be published in e-book, audio and paperback in May 2021. 

Olajide was one of a generation of Nigerian children born in Britain in the '50s and '60s, privately fostered by white families, then taken to Nigeria by their parents. Coconut will be the story of her experience. 

Bord said: "As soon as I started reading Florence’s memoir I was immediately swept up in her writing. Her story is deeply personal and shines a light on a piece of British history that needs to be told. Florence’s story is heartbreaking, one of loss and loneliness, surviving poverty, maltreatment and fighting to get an education but most of all, it’s an incredibly uplifting and inspiring account of one woman’s self-determination to discover who she is and find her way to a place she can call home."

Olajide said the memoir had been several years in the making "and shows that with determination, and a helping hand or two along the way, adversity need not be an impediment to success". She added: "From my first contact with the Thread team, I felt the stirrings of a wonderful partnership in the making. I recognised Claire’s empathy and affinity for my life story in her first email and felt confident trusting it to her. Already, the team’s support and encouragement have been immense. I particularly appreciate how they are actively seeking to level the playing field by giving authors from underrepresented backgrounds a platform and a voice."