William Collins signs Smith Galer's sex myths investigation

William Collins has signed a “compulsively readable” investigation of sex culture by BBC journalist and TikTok star Sophia Smith Galer.

Grace Pengelly, commissioning editor, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Losing It: Dispelling the Sex Myths that Rule Our Lives from Emma Smith at The Wylie Agency. Publication is set for spring 2022.

The book sees Smith Galer investigate the sex myths “which continue to fascinate, shame and rule the lives of women and men around the world”. The synopsis says: “Sophia speaks to individuals with varying sexual and cultural experiences to understand the impact that these myths—and especially those surrounding first-time sex—have on our wellbeing. She reveals the shocking and surprising ways that these myths are perpetuated and acted upon in the 21st century, from porn websites to the lucrative multimillion-pound vaginal rejuvenation market. Highlighting the need for an urgent overturning of these myths, Losing It encourages everyone to think and talk about their sexual encounters differently.”

The author is a reporter, writer and documentary maker with the BBC World Service, specialising in religion and digital culture. She was the first BBC journalist to be on TikTok and has accrued over 250,000 followers across social media. Named as a Voice of Change in the TikTok 100 best of 2020, she sits as an inaugural member of the TikTok Creator Council.

She said: “This is the book that I wish existed when I was growing up. The ideas that we hold around sex and virginity hurt us all wherever we live, but especially women. A world with mindful, equitable sexual debuts will be a world with gender equality.”

Pengelly added: “From awkward sexual debuts to medical conditions that prevent us from enjoying sex, Losing It addresses parts of our lives which are rarely talked about. Sophia is an enormously talented journalist with a highly engaged and growing audience. I am delighted that William Collins will be publishing her compulsively readable and deeply researched first book.”