Following a ‘substantial’ seven-figure deal

Adam Kay has a signed a ‘substantial’ seven-figure deal to write two more books.

Publishers Orion poached the medic turned comedian from rivals Picador, which published his bestseller This Is Going To Hurt.

The memoirs of his time in the NHS has sold 1.2 million copies in the UK and has been translated into 37 languages.

Kay’s first book under the new deal will be a non-fiction title to be released in autumn 2021.

The writer told trade website The Bookseller: ‘I was absolutely blown away by the ambition, enthusiasm and biscuits at Orion… I know I'm embarking on a long and exciting journey with them. Maybe one day my phone will even stop autocorrecting "Orion" to "Onion".’

Executive publisher Anna Valentine added:  ‘His success might be unprecedented, but the accolades and sales are no surprise to us: his writing delivers on humour and heart, and he wins us over with the quality of his observations while genuinely helping us understand a little more about what it means to be human.’

Kay last week announced that he was writing a book about the human body aimed  at readers aged 8 to 12. The title, Kay’s Anatomy, will be published by Puffin in October (order here) and  illustrated  by fellow comedian Henry Paker

A BBC comedy-drama based on This Is Going To Hurt is in the pipeline, while his follow-up, Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas, has sold 430,000 copies  The Booksteller reports.

Published: 12 Mar 2020