Viking lands Ball's 'delectably juicy' adult debut novel in six-figure pre-empt

Viking has landed The Beauty Case by Karen Ball in a six-figure pre-empt. 

Vikki Moynes, commissioning editor, acquired world English language rights from Katie Greenstreet at Paper Literary. The novel will be published in hardback in summer 2024. 

A former Bookseller Rising Star with her publishing consultancy Speckled Pen, The Beauty Case is Ball’s debut adult novel having written more than 25 children’s books. The novel follows Loretta, "a quick-witted and plucky young woman who harbours a dubious past and is trying to succeed as a make-up artist in the glamorously debauched, misogyny-steeped world of 1950s Hollywood". The publisher continued: "But La La Land better beware, because there’s something deadlier than make-up lurking in her beauty case, and not all her clients will make it out alive..." 

Ball said: "Writing The Beauty Case has been a joy from the very start. Loretta is a character who demanded to be written – she’s very insistent that way. I am humbled by and in awe of the exceptional work from my agent, Katie Greenstreet, and Vikki Moynes’ energy and vision. Together with Loretta, I think we’ll make quite the team!" 

Moynes added: "Karen has written a novel that defies typical genre conventions in the best way, bringing Loretta, her formidable yet loveable whip-sharp protagonist to life with a voice that punches its way off the page. She merges the escapism in the luxe debauchery of the Hollywood setting with a darker undercurrent of righteous justice being served with just a hint of sugar and a heavy helping of pizazz. I am so thrilled to be bringing her storytelling prowess and dark wit to the Viking list and can’t wait for readers to get their hands on this delectably juicy, utterly moreish novel."