What if you let a coin decide your future for an entire year?
We are beyond thrilled to announce that Michael Joseph editor Rebecca Hilsdon has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for James Bailey’s hilarious and uplifting debut The Flip Side in a two-book from Hannah Ferguson.
US rights were bought by Tessa Woodward at William Morrow. The Flip Side has gained international interest with rights pre-empted in the Netherlands (HarperCollins Holland), Italy (Garzanti), Serbia (Laguna), and German rights were sold to Droemer Knaur at auction. French and Hungarian rights have also been acquired by L’Archipel and Hungary respectively.
The novel tells the story of Josh, a broken-hearted man, whose recent marriage proposal didn’t go as planned. With his job, living situation and relationship in jeopardy he decides to take the plunge and let fate decide his future. For an entire year he will flip a coin in the hope of finding himself and ‘The One’.
Hilsdon said: “I am thrilled to be publishing James’ debut this year. From the pitch perfect first chapter to the very last, I was swept up by Josh’s romantic and heartfelt plight. James effortlessly delivers page after page of warmth, wit and humour, making this just the book I’ve been waiting for.”
Bailey added: “It still feels surreal to think that Penguin will be publishing my debut novel. I am absolutely delighted that Rebecca loved The Flip Side so much, and I’m so excited to work with her and the whole team at Michael Joseph. I feel honoured that my book has found a home at such a prestigious imprint alongside some of the country’s best loved authors. To also be published by William Morrow in North America, and for my novel to be translated into multiple languages, is simply incredible.”
James Bailey is a 27 year-old debut author, who studied Hispanic Studies at King’s College, London. When not writing, he runs a walking tour in Bristol. He has previously worked as a showbiz journalist, and completed the Curtis Brown Creative Six Month Novel Writing Course. The Flip Side is his debut novel.
Follow James on Instagram at @JamesBaileyWrites