A new novel - and a cover reveal

Writing’s very much a marathon, not a sprint. And until I know that a novel is not just viable, but bought, and effectively finished, I can’t quite talk about it. It’s partly superstition; partly self-doubt; partly the fear that someone might nick youridea.

So I’m hugely excited - and relieved - to be able to announce that I’ve written a new political thriller/courtroom drama, and that Reputation will be published by my existing publishers S&S in the UK in March, and the US in July next year.

Not only that but we have a cover, at least for the UK edition. I absolutely love it - and would love to know what you think?

So what’s it about? Judgement, misogyny, the toxicity of social media, the difficulty of navigating your way through life, as a woman, either as a public figure, or as a teenager facing social-media loving frenemies. There’s a courtroom drama at the heart of it; tabloid journalists; suspicion among MPs. Specifically it focusses on Emma Webster, MP, who is implicated in the death of a tabloid journalist. How far will she go to protect her reputation?

And here’s the blurb:

Emma Webster is a high-profile MP. Impassioned and empathetic, she wants to make a positive difference but faces threats and trolling as she tries to work in the public eye.

When she launches a campaign to protect women from the effects of online bullying, the abuse steps up. And when her teenage daughter’s character is called into question, Emma learns how far she will go to protect both their reputations. 

But still: how did she come to be standing trial for murder? She only lied once - didn’t she?

The news was announced in The Bookseller today, and here’s what my editor, publishing director Clare Hey, had to say about it: "Sarah writes such thought-provoking, intelligent and compelling novels and has her finger firmly on the pulse of what matters to women. She is a master at portraying powerful women in impossible situations and Reputation is a stunning novel showing her at the heights of her powers. I am delighted we are bringing this to readers, along with our colleagues at Atria."

Here’s my agent, Lizzy Kremer, who has been incisive in her notes, and wonderful in brokering the deals. "Sarah tackles another burning hot issue for women and girls in this thrilling and moving novel: why do so many women still have to fight to protect their reputations in the 21st century? In Emma she has found a brilliant and flawed heroine who encapsulates the fears and frustrations of many of us."

I’ve just discovered that you can preorder it - which makes it feel very, very real! So here’s a link for Waterstone’s and Amazon. End of hard sell (for the moment!)

I loved writing this novel, despite the initial stymying months of the first lockdown, and I’m proud of it. I do hope you enjoy.