Things couldn’t be better for historical romcom sensation Lex Croucher! Fresh off the success of the Regency crossover hit, Reputation (Bonnier Zaffre), we’re thrilled to announce fantastic UK and US deals for two brand new YA offerings – the first being queer medieval romcom, Gwen and Art Are Not In Love.
In a dazzling six-figure pre-empt, US rights were acquired by Sylvan Creekmore at St. Martin’s Press imprint Wednesday Books from Chloe Seager. UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) were additionally acquired at auction by Hannah Sandford, Senior Commissioning Editor at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. The book is due to publish simultaneously in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA in March 2023.
Already an online sensation with a cumulative following of over 250,000, Lex has a proven knack for penning rollicking comedies, set against illustrious historical backdrops. Gwen and Art Are Not In Love is no different, as we meet reluctantly betrothed couple, Gwen and Art. Initially, the only thing this sharp-witted Princess and rakish Duke can agree on is that they despise each other, but things soon shift with the discovery that they’re both queer, and closeted from society at large. A fake relationship may be just what they need to fool their fellow nobles and love the people they truly want – though, of course, things are rarely that simple…
Hannah Sandford said: “Gwen and Art Are Not in Love knocked my jousting socks off. It is the witty, romantic, melodramatic, queer medieval YA romp that we all need in our lives. Lex’s writing is endlessly funny, inventive, brave, poignant, a breath of fresh air … and exactly what the UKYA market is missing.”
An thrilled Lex commented: “Gwen and Art is the book that got me through lockdown, when I was simultaneously figuring out aspects of my own identity and desperate for queer, joyful escapism. I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with Bloomsbury UK and Wednesday Books to bring this messy medieval gang of knights and royals to readers.”
Chloe Seager added: “Lex is a rare, phenomenal talent and I’m over the moon they’ve found the perfect publishing homes with Bloomsbury and St Martin’s. Gwen and Art may not be in love with each other, but readers all over the world are going to fall for them”
Lex Croucher is a writer, producer and YouTuber based in London, with over 200,000 followers across their social media platforms. Lex published a YA non-fiction book in 2019, called You’re Crushing It, and a crossover fiction novel in 2021, Reputation.
