Signed by William Collins Dad never existed The „funny and moving” book by Georgie Cote is based on his search for the „ideal father figure”.
Joe Thompson, commissioning editor, acquired the global English language rights from Ed Wilson at Johnson & Alcock. The project, which is scheduled for publication on 6 June 2024, has been endorsed by Senior Editor Hazel Erickson. Plus, TV rights Dad never existed Chosen by a major UK manufacturer, said William Collins.
„Gatt's extraordinary story was first picked up by the famous American podcast 'This American Life,' which premiered the story to millions of viewers around the world in 2022,” said William Collins. “The book follows what happens when Code, who grew up never knowing his father, becomes inspired by a stranger's practical joke and advertises to his own idealized father.
„'DadWords', placed in a select range of national newspapers and magazines, invited responses to the solicitation: 'Fatherless, friendly 31yof seeks bold M50s-70s (not sugar daddies).' More than 50 men responded to Dads. Private Eye, New Scientist, Farmer's WeeklyGrindr and more have led to wide-ranging conversations, nerve-wracking encounters, and a whole range of reactions — from touching to sad, hilarious, horny, and everything in between.”
Erickson said: “Georgie's impressive voice immediately caught our attention and we had to know how it would end. Dad never existed Equal parts funny and moving, and offers a fascinating, fresh look at what we mean when we talk about family.
Codd commented: “My quest to find a dad began in 2018 and took me to some unexpected places. I don't know if I'll ever share the story in print, but it's been an intense and interesting journey to get it here, so I feel lucky to have had the strong support of Ed and William Collins. I'm excited to release the book soon and find out what happens next.
Cote's first non-fiction book, We swim to the shark, published by Fleet Books in 2020 and featured on BBC Radio 4's “Woman's Hour”. He also founded BookBound 2020, an online literary festival created during the lockdown to help mental health charities in the UK and New Zealand.
Cote is a graduate of the Prose-Writing MA from the University of East Anglia, where her flash fiction won the Seth Donaldson Bursary.