Viking jumps on 'joyful' debut by Brammer in 24-hour pre-empt

Viking has jumped on a “joyful” debut by Mikki Brammer in a 24 hour pre-empt.  

Harriet Bourton, publisher, acquired UK rights to The Collected Regrets of Clover from Jemima Forrester at David Higham Associates, on behalf of Michelle Brower at Trellis Literary Management. It will publish in spring 2023.  

North American rights were sold to Sarah Cantin at St Martin’s Press in a major two-book deal, and ANZ rights sold to Beverley Cousins at PRH Australia. Additional rights continue to sell in the foreign markets, including Lindhardt & Ringhof (Denmark), Droemer Knaur (Germany), Dioptra (Greece), Sperling & Kupfer (Italy), Cappelen Damn (Norway) and MTS (Russia). 

Brammer writes about design, architecture and art for magazines including Architectural Digest, Dwell and Lonely Planet. The Collected Regrets of Clover is her first novel. It tells the story of a young woman working as a death doula in New York City, who while caring for others at the end of their life has forgotten how to live her own – until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send her on a road trip to uncover a forgotten love story, and perhaps even her own happy ending… 

Brammer said: “When I had the idea to try to write a fun, joyful novel about death, it felt like quite a big swing. But seeing how it’s already resonating with people in so many different countries made me realise just how much we’re all yearning to explore, demystify – and most importantly discuss – what’s almost a taboo topic in western society, even though it’s the one thing we all have in common."

Bourton added: “I began Mikki’s novel and within a few pages, knew I needed to clear my day. I spent the next few hours enveloped in this uplifting, life-affirming story and immediately shared it with the team to acquire it swiftly. It feels serendipitous when events align that way, and Viking is the perfect home for Mikki and Clover. Thanks to Mikki, we’re all enthused with ambition, energy and a little more love for the life we’re living. We can’t wait to bring it to readers eager for a comforting, escapist book club read next year.”