Zaffre, the flagship commercial fiction imprint of Bonnier Books UK’s Zaffre Publishing Group, has successfully pre-empted Kate Sawyer’s new novel Getting Away, along with one further fiction title.
Melissa Cox, publishing director at Zaffre, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Claire Wilson at RCW Literary Agency. Cox was Sawyer’s previous editor at Coronet.
Getting Away is a sweeping novel of family life spanning the 20th century told through the rise in popularity of British summer holidays – from bus trips to the seaside to the first package holidays.
Sawyer’s debut novel, The Stranding, was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, won the East Anglian fiction prize, adapted for BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime and is being developed for TV by Fremantle and Afua Hirsch’s production company Born In Me. Her most recent novel is the critically acclaimed The Family, which was selected as Waterstones Fiction Book of The Month in March.
Melissa Cox said: “I am thrilled to be reunited with Kate, an immensely talented author who is a true pleasure to work with. I think she has a long and very bright future ahead and I am so excited to share Getting Away with readers who will recognise Kate’s trademark sharp storytelling, social commentary, humour and knack for pinning down the varied dynamics of human relationships.”
Kate Sawyer said: “I know, after many conversations with fellow authors, that the creative editorial chemistry I enjoyed working with Melissa Cox on The Stranding and This Family, is something rare and to be treasured. So, the opportunity to continue our special working relationship by following Melissa to Zaffre feels both serendipitous and as though it will bring an exciting through-line to the work. Meeting the team at Bonnier, I was bowled over by the enthusiasm, vision and ambition for the future of my career. It was the sort of meeting authors dream of and absolutely confirmed that Zaffre is the ideal home for my writing. I am very excited about what the future holds.”
Claire Wilson said: “Kate Sawyer brings an extraordinary talent and energy to everything that she does, and I am so glad to see that reflected in the excitement at Zaffre around her future publishing. I’m delighted that she and Melissa will be working together to find her fantastic writing an even bigger audience over the years to come.”
Getting Away will be published in hardback, audio and eBook on 3rd July 2025.
Author photo credit: Sophie Davidson
