OK, so here's a story about how editors acquire books. Or rather, how this editor (hi!) acquired one particular book.

Earlier this year, in the build up to LBF (before it was cancelled) I had a coffee with one of my faves, @not_quite_cool - a literary scout. Can you believe we just used to casually meet a dozen different people for coffees or meetings in one day?? Wild.

Sophie told me that an agent I hugely admire, @cmlwilson was going out with a book and it was a bit of a first because Claire usually does children's/YA, and this was an adult reading group novel.

And this is the bit I remember distinctly, Sophie said "it's about a woman who hides from the end of the world inside a whale". SOLD. I literally walked away from that coffee typing an email to @cmlwilson saying "heard about this book, please submit to me!" and she did...

Now anyone who knows Claire, knows that this is an agent who writes KILLER pitches. And when I got this book in, I started reading it IMMEDIATELY. It was called The Stranding, a debut, but so polished and confident it felt like it was written by a seasoned pro. I had to have it.

I took it to Acquisitions (that's a meeting where Editors pitch books they love to the Bigwigs in Sales, Marketing, Publicity etc. and got a brilliant reaction. That's a really fun part of my job. And we set up a meeting with the author.

ENTER @KateSawyer who came to meet us just as London was starting to feel like it might lock down at any minute. For me, it was a sure thing, I knew I'd be gutted if I didn't get to work with this incredible woman on her amazing whale book.

And today we finally get to announce it. So, I present to you, THE STRANDING by @KateSawyer , publishing next June. It's been pure joy to work on a book like this in such a dark year. I can't wait to share it with readers. https://www.thebookseller.com/news/coronet-acquires-timely-debut-exploring-extinction-1220218

Pre-order The Stranding HERE: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-stranding/kate-sawyer/9781529340662