Canelo has acquired two standalone romcoms by debut author Lauren Ford

Editorial director Emily Bedford has acquired World English language rights to Australian-set romantic comedies by Lauren Ford from Megan Carroll at Watson, Little in a two-book deal.

Astronomy major Liv knows she’s hit rock bottom when she finds herself sitting on the pavement, all her earthly belongings packed into one suitcase and two plastic bags, a bearded dragon at her side. Liv Is Not A Loser follows our eponymous and disastrous heroine as her brother, Joe – newly engaged to his longterm boyfriend – and best friend, Henry, come up with a list for Liv to be less of a loser. First up: three dates with the same guy, to finally kick Liv’s commitment phobia. Between increasingly bizarre dates, battling her mother to plan Seth’s dream wedding, and evading her father’s multiple girlfriends, Henry becomes an oasis of calm to Liv’s chaos. But not everything can be fixed with a simple checklist, and perhaps not winning at life isn’t all that bad…

Lauren Ford has a background in film distribution and acquisitions, as well as working as a script reader and development producer. Lauren lives in Brisbane, Australia with her husband and two children. This will be her debut novel.

Emily Bedford says: ‘One of the most joyful, witty and relatable stories I’ve read in a long while, I am over the moon to be working with Lauren and her fantastic sense of whimsy. Liv is a character who, for all her failings and flailings, will secure a place in readers’ hearts as she navigates a world in which everyone else seems to be succeeding, while she can barely find her footing. Liv Is Not A Loser is a balm to anyone who feels a step behind, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face with pure swoony, romantic escapism and laugh-out-loud storytelling.’  

Lauren Ford says: ‘From the first conversation with Emily, I knew my book was in the right hands. To be given the opportunity to work with such a successful publisher, dedicated to delivering commercial fiction to a global market, is a dream come true! I can’t wait to start working with Emily and the entire team at Canelo to bring my loser book to readers. Thank you to Megan Carroll from Watson, Little for making this match possible.’

Megan Carroll says: ‘I fell completely in love with Lauren’s writing from the very first page – her characters are so well drawn, and her novels have the perfect mix of laugh out loud humour and swoon worthy romance. I’m so pleased to have found her a brilliant home with Emily and the team at Canelo. 

Liv Is Not A Loser will be published in July 2024, in ebook and paperback, with book two to follow in 2025. For more information please contact [email protected]