Footnote Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has pre-empted Jade Song’s second novel, I Love You Don’t Die as well as her short story collection, Ox Ghost Snake Demon.
Commissioning Editor Serena Arthur acquired UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Rachel Clements at Abner Stein on behalf of DongWon Song at Morhaim Literary. Both the novel and short story collection will be published by William Morrow Books at HarperCollins US.
Song is an artist, writer and filmmaker. Their debut Chlorine received wide acclaim on publication in 2023 and was translated into multiple languages. The paperback edition was chosen as The Common Press book of the month.
Song’s second novel, I Love You Don’t Die, which will be published in March 2026, is a beautiful exploration of the Gen Z condition – a lyrical, poignant, and heartfelt novel about the meaning of love, friendship, debt, depression, and death in New York City. It follows main character, Vicky, who, living above a Chinatown funeral parlour to working at a celebrity start-up for bespoke urns has surrounded herself with death. Though living in Manhattan and working her dream job is all she ever wanted, she still often she spends the day in bed, only drawn out from time to time by her best (and only) friend, Jen. But when a dating app leads her into a throuple with an artist and a labour organiser, everything changes and Vicky must decide whether to try and hold on to what she has, or to once again do what she does best . . . destroy.
Song’s short story collection, Ox Ghost Snake Demon which will be published in 2027, is full of weird and wonderful stories that explore everything from life, hope, joy, death, prejudice, race and queerness and are all inspired by the traits associated with the animals in the Chinese Zodiac.
Jade Song said: ‘I Love You Don’t Die is about the fear of death—not of your own, but of the people you love; Ox Ghost Snake Demon is a collection of stories revolving around the Chinese zodiac animals. Like my previous work, both books explore transformation: becoming more ourselves outside the constraints of dominant cultural narratives. I’m thrilled to be working with Footnote Press again on them.’
Serena Arthur said: ‘I’m such a fan of Jade’s writing and the way she crafts her characters, so I’m really pleased to be continuing to work with her and to be publishing her latest works here at Footnote Press. Readers – whether or not they’ve already had the joy of reading Chlorine – are all in for a treat with I Love You Don’t Die and Ox Ghost Snake Demon. There’s a deep astuteness to Jade’s written observations of the world that you feel in these books – they both feel like they offer a real commentary on the world right now while also telling captivating stories.’
I Love You Don’t Die will be published in hardback, trade paperback, eBook, and audio on 19th March 2026, simultaneously with the US. Ox Ghost Snake Demon will follow as a paperback original and eBook in January 2027.
