Black & White Publishing, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is to publish The Day Tripper by James Goodhand.
Clem Flanagan, editor, and Campbell Brown, managing director at Black & White Publishing acquired UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Nora Rawn at MIRA Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, in association with Harry Illingworth at DHH Literary Agency and Helen Edwards.
It’s 1995, and Alex Dean has it all; a spot at the University of Cambridge next year, the love of the beautiful, vivacious Holly and all the time in the world ahead of him. Yet after a near-death incident, Alex wakes up fifteen years into the future, in an unfamiliar place, looking as though time has not been kind.
The next night brings him another nine years ahead, where he is forty-four years old and homeless. The next night is back to 2005, on his wedding day. But it’s not Holly walking down the aisle. Never knowing which day is coming, Alex begins to piece together what happens in his life after that fateful night. He must push against the heavy headwind of fate, however impossible that might feel, and learn that small actions have an untold impact. It might be all Alex needs to save the people he loves and, equally importantly, himself.
The Day Tripper is a moving, life-affirming novel reminiscent of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub.
James Goodhand said: “I’ve been blown away by Clem’s enthusiasm for the book and am very much looking forward to working with the passionate and dynamic team at Black & White. The Day Tripper is a novel close to my heart, tackling some very big themes via a playful concept. I’m so excited to see how it is received by readers.”
Clem Flanagan said: “I became totally engrossed when reading The Day Tripper, it’s a deeply affecting journey exploring the impact of the choices we make. James has woven a poignant coming-of-age story of love, fate and second chances. We’re delighted to be publishing it here in the UK.”
This is James Goodhand’s first work of adult fiction. He has previously written two YA novels, published by PRH Children’s Books. His YA debut, Last Lesson (“A powerfully charged study in empathy” – The Financial Times) was published in April 2020 and has been optioned for TV by Red Planet Pictures, with his second novel, Man Down, published in March 2022.
The Day Tripper will be published on 21 March 2024.
