Michaela Coel is set to release her debut novel.
The I May Destroy You star’s first book will be titled Misfits: A Personal Manifesto and will be simultaneously published in the U.K. and United States in September.
In Misfits, the publisher states that Coel “makes a compelling case for radical honesty.” In the book, Coel will recount deeply personal anecdotes from her life and work and will detail her journey to reclaiming creativity and power, while also pushing readers to reflect on theirs.
Marianne Tatepo, commissioning editor at Ebury, acquired World All Language rights from the author in an exclusive deal negotiated with Michael Duff and Conor McCaughan. Misfits will be published in the U.S. by Macmillan imprint Henry Holt, whose Editor-at-large Retha Powers acquired North American rights from Ebury at auction.
In a statement Tatepo said, “Ever since I first watched Chewing Gum, I knew that Michaela was one of a kind. I May Destroy You again proved this to be true, gathering fans everywhere and stealing the hearts of global icons from Adele and Seth Rogen to Barack Obama. By turns inquisitive, devastating, beautiful and hilarious, Michaela’s storytelling forever urges us to think again.”
Tatepo describes Misfits as a book that “draws on the same kaleidoscope of ideas and emotions as her hit TV shows, and will inspire readers to reflect on their own relationship to power.” “We are proud to be bringing Michaela’s unique voice to a whole new audience.”
“Michaela Coel is a true artist and I’m thrilled that as her North American publisher Holt will bring readers her bold vision for a path toward fully embracing ourselves,” said Retha Powers.
Misfits: A Personal Manifesto will be published on Sept. 7.
