Press release

New book by international bestselling author of ROOM to publish in February, 2017

TORONTO—HarperCollinsCanada has acquired the first middle-grade novel by international bestselling author Emma Donoghue. THE LOTTERYS PLUS ONE will be released in Canada under the HarperCollins imprint for publication in February, 2017. The deal was brokered by Caroline Davidson of Caroline Davidson Literary Agency.

“What a delight and privilege it is to be publishing Emma Donoghue’s first book for middle-grade readers,” said Hadley Dyer, Executive Editor, Children’s Books, at HarperCollinsCanada. “The Lotterys are a charming, exuberant, unforgettable bunch, in a novel that tackles contemporary issues while at the same time harkening back to classic stories about the comforts and chaos of family life.”

THE LOTTERYS PLUS ONE introduces Sumac Lottery, a girl with six siblings, two moms, two dads, and a tranquil cloud-painted room in the big Victorian house in Toronto they all call Camelottery.  When her racist, homophobic grandfather nearly burns his own house down, he has to move in with the Lotterys, creating a volatile situation about which no one is happy, least of all Sumac, who has to give up her room. THE LOTTERYS PLUS ONE is a funny, sensitive exploration of family, the limits of tolerance, and the possibilities of love.

“HarperCollins has cherished and beautifully published my work in Canada over the past seven years, so I am thrilled that their children's imprint is going to bring that same zeal to publishing my first story for middle-grade readers,” said Emma Donoghue.

Emma Donoghue is best known for her international bestselling novel Room, which was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and the Orange Prize. Critics praised its pitch-perfect narration by a five-year-old named Jack, who lives in a single room with his Ma and has never been outside. Donoghue wrote the screenplay for the upcoming film adaptation of Room for director Lenny Abrahamson. It is scheduled to be released in late 2015. Born in Dublin, Donoghue now lives in London, Ontario, with her partner and their two children. She has written drama for stage and radio as well as YA fairytales and adult fiction both contemporary and historical.

“We have had a long and extremely successful relationship with Emma Donoghue,” said Iris Tupholme, Senior Vice President and Executive Publisher. “We are delighted to have this opportunity to introduce one of Canada's most beloved writers to a new generation of readers.”

HarperCollinsCanada imprints include HarperCollinsPublishers, HarperAvenue, HarperPerennial, Collins, HarperTrophyCanada, HarperWeekend and Patrick Crean Editions. These imprints publish the finest writers from Canada and around the world, including such fiction authors as Nancy Richler, Dianne Warren, Dan Vyleta, Emma Donoghue, Lawrence Hill, Shilpi Somaya Gowda, Cathy Marie Buchanan, Thomas King, Heather O’Neill, Hilary Mantel, Richard Ford, Amy Tan, Kit Pearson, Michael Cunningham, Kenneth Oppel, Natalee Caple, Dennis Lee, Jacqueline Baker, Marilynne Robinson, and Robert J. Wiersema, among many others. HarperCollins is committed to publishing new writers and to building authors’ careers. HarperCollinsCanada publishes fiction, non-fiction, reference books, and books for young readers.

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For further information contact Rob Firing, Senior Director, Publicity, Communications and Speakers’ Bureau, 416-975-9334 ext. 2357. Email [email protected].