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Ghostwriter Andrew Crofts is trying his hand at fiction, with world rights in his début novel sold to John Blake. The Overnight Fame of Steffi McBride (1st September, £7.99 p/b) is the tale of a young actress who finds almost instant fame and fortune in a soap opera and experiences the highs and lows of celebrity life, including the sudden revelation of unknown family secrets. In the book, Crofts—who has written the life stories of celebrities including actress Gillian Taylforth and former “Big Brother” winner Pete Bennett—examines the role of the media in creating celebrity culture.
Known as one of the industry’s most successful ghostwriters, Crofts has previously had 10 books reach either first or second position in the Sunday Times bestseller charts. He has ghostwritten two books for the “Richard & Judy” True series, and helped thriller writer Robert Harris’ with research for The Ghost.
John Blake struck the deal, for an undisclosed sum, with agent Barbara Levy, and hopes Crofts will produce further fiction of his own. “Andrew is a good friend of John’s, and he approached us about publishing his first fiction title,” said John Blake editor-in-chief Michelle Signore. “I would imagine the author will have plenty more ideas up his sleeve and, if this novel is the success it looks all set to be, we would certainly plan to publish more.”
Crofts has created a website to publicise the novel ahead of its release, which features a short promotional film starring his actress daughter, Olivia Grodd, as the book’s principal character.