HQ pre-empts 'phenomenal' debut novel from actor Colin Morgan
HQ has pre-empted the debut novel from actor Colin Morgan, The Ballad of Ronan McCoy.
Editorial director Clare Gordon secured world English-language rights from Zoe Ross at United Agents during Frankfurt Book Fair. Rights have also sold to PKJ in France, Mondadori in Italy and Droemer Knaur in Germany following an auction.
The Ballad of Ronan McCoy is a "tender coming-of-age story" about friendship and first love. The story follows 16-year-old Brendan who is excited to start his final year of school with his best friend, Ronan. But when Ronan does not show on the first day, Brendan’s life is irrevocably changed.
Gordon said: "I fell in love with Brendan’s voice the moment I opened the manuscript. It’s a beautiful and devastating story, but a hopeful one too – like all the best ballads. Colin is an incredibly natural writer and I couldn’t be prouder to be working with him to bring his phenomenal novel to the world."
Morgan added: "I couldn’t be more honoured to have my debut novel in the caring hands of Clare Gordon and all at HQ/HarperCollins. The crafting of this novel had already been a heartfelt and impassioned one for me, and now to be joined by a team whose passion and care for this story is immense has been one of the most overwhelming and exciting moments of my career."
The novel will be published on 18th June 2026.
