Canelo set to publish two joyful queer romances by debut Lily Easton
June 13, 2024
Editorial director Emily Bedford has acquired World English language rights to two standalone queer romances by Madeline Palmieri and Katherine Murtha writing as Lily Easton from Kate Rizzo at Greene & Heaton Ltd in a two-book deal.
In Reality Check, when boxer Declan King and ballet dancer Oliver Wright clash in the villa of the UK’s #1 reality dating show, Summer of Love, they’re both in it to win it. For Oliver, he needs the prize money to move to New York to get his ex-girlfriend back. For Declan, he must convince 5 million viewers he’s looking for the right girl when, in reality, he’s falling for the wrong guy. The two shift from rivals to friends to something more, but with meddling producers, fame-hungry co-stars, and the British public watching their every move, Declan and Oliver must decide what they are willing to give up to live in the public eye, even if it means each other.
Lily Easton is the pen name of writing duo Katherine Grace and Madeline Smith. Katherine studied English Literature at Wesleyan University and enjoys reality TV in her free time. Madeline studied journalism at New York University and currently works as a producer. They met in their high school creative writing class and have been writing together ever since.
Emily Bedford says: ‘I am beyond delighted to be working with Lily – writing duo Katherine and Madeline – on Reality Check. For anyone who’s tired of the heteronormativity of reality dating shows, this romance is absolutely for you. Declan and Oliver are such fun leads, and Lily’s utterly brilliant, whip-smart dialogue kept me laughing and turning the pages throughout. This is such a joyful read, I can’t wait to see it out in the world.’
Lily Easton says: ‘We are thrilled to be publishing with Canelo. Reality Check has been a passion project of ours, and we are excited to share Declan and Oliver’s story with the world. We’re grateful to Emily Bedford and the Canelo team for supporting a love story where the characters are free to explore and find joy in their sexualities.’
Reality Check will be published in May 2025, in mass market paperback and ebook, with their sapphic romance to follow in 2026. For more information please contact [email protected]