I was over the moon yesterday to share the news that I’ve signed a three-book deal with the Harper Collins imprint, HQ. You can read the official announcement here. I’m very much looking forward to working with their dynamic, creative team.
HQ will be publishing my fifth psychological thriller, The Family, next year. The Family has characters I’ve become extraordinarily attached to whilst writing it. It’s the story of Laura who is grieving after the loss of her husband following his sudden death. She’s struggled to hold it together for her daughter, Tilly, and realises she needs help. When all seems lost, she turns to a group of apparently well-meaning strangers. But, as they settle into their new community, sinister things begin to happen and Tilly becomes enthralled by the ‘head’ of their new family, Alex. It soon becomes clear to Laura that she needs to get her daughter away from Alex, but is Tilly too far gone to be saved?
Tilly and her mum, Laura took me through the whole range of emotions whilst writing from fear for their safety to utter heartbreak. I can’t wait to share where the inspiration came from and to get it into the hands of readers when it’s published on 17th October 2019.
My first day with HQ kicked off to a brilliant start with their crime writer’s showcase event held in their swanky offices, with stunning views overlooking the Thames. It was a chance for authors, book bloggers and book sellers to connect over canapés and inevitably, plenty of booze.
It was lovely to put faces to twitter handles and meet those bloggers I hadn’t met before as well as authors and this is where I get ridiculously self-conscious, still unable to believe after a lifetime of loving stories that I’m mixing with actual writers – me!
I’m feeling incredibly grateful right now. A BIG thank you to all who have supported me. I’m so excited to see what the future holds.
Louise x
fabricating fiction 
Always so pleased for you when you have another piece of exciting news – and they just keep coming! Well done on your new book deal Louise – lovely news and well deserved
Thanks so much Lynn – you’re always so supportive. It’s really appreciated x
My pleasure. I saw The Surrogate in my local supermarket the other day and it made me smile. Your covers are easy to spot as they’re very distinctive – nicely branded! Lovely to read your ongoing success x
It was lovely to meet you!
It was lovely to meet you too!
Delighted for you Louise. Huge congratulations x
Aww thanks Mairead x
Congratulations Louise – fantastic news, can’t wait to read it x
Thank you Katy! X
Congratulations!
Much appreciated Dan, thanks.
You’ve come such a long way, Louise, and your success is well deserved. I can’t wait to read The Family.
Thanks so much for your continued support, Julia.
This is fantastic news Louise, I’m delighted for you! You’re like a Writing Machine, producing bestseller after bestseller 🙂 I’ve got 17th Oct in the diary so I can get my hands on The Famiy as soon as it comes out #excited
Aww thanks so much. I’m on a slower schedule now so it will be one a year, ideas permitting!
One a year is still an impressive turnover 🙂
Yes – it’s still worrying. I was speaking to Linwood Barclay this week and when he told me he’d written 18 books I said I couldn’t imagine having 18 ideas & he said as an author you only need one idea a year which made it all sound rather manageable!
Indeed, and we’re used to having 52 ideas – one every Friday! So one a year should be a doddle 😀
Yes!
🙂
Amazing achievement. Congratulations!!
Thank you!