W&N lands second novel from Britsch

Weidenfeld & Nicolson (W&N) has acquired a second literary novel from Sad Janet author Lucie Britsch.

Publisher Emad Akhtar acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Peggy Boulos Smith at Writers House on behalf of Stacy Testa.

Thoughtless will be published by Akhtar and commissioning editor Celia Killen on the W&N list in hardback, trade paperback, e-book and audio in August, with the mass market paperback to follow in 2024.

The publisher described Thoughtless as a biting satire that both skewers and celebrates society’s obsession with pop culture, happiness and constant distraction. 

The synopsis reads: “The novel follows a young woman whose loved ones are hiding a terrible secret from her: If Susan thinks too hard, her head will explode. Luckily, her devoted boyfriend, anxious parents and fierce best friend are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep Susan safe in ignorant, thoughtless bliss. But what happens when reality creeps in and Susan’s perfectly curated world starts to crumble? Can we distract ourselves from the real world forever and should we?”

Britsch said: “Oh, to be a simpleton! Alas, I am cursed to think myself to death. But what if thinking too hard might actually make your brain explode? The world is so very bleak right now, better to empty your mind completely—after you’ve read my new book that is. Thoughtless has been a real labour of love for me, starting many years ago when I first realised my thoughts wanted to kill me. I hope it keeps readers from themselves, for a short time at least.”

Killen said: “Lucie is an incredible talent with an uncanny ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist. Thoughtless is both a biting satire on modern society and a refreshing celebration of superficial pop culture. It’s dark, funny, uncomfortably relatable, and surprisingly hopeful."

Testa added: “Lucie has one of the most distinctive and lol-inducing voices you’ll find in fiction today and the genuinely rare ability to satirise modern life while unravelling a deeply entertaining tale.”

Britsch’s writing has appeared in Catapult, Vol 1 Brooklyn, Split Lip magazine and the Sun magazine and she has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.