The Borough Press and Joanna Cannon pair up for two more novels
The Borough Press (TBP) has acquired two new novels by Joanna Cannon. The deal for UK and Commonwealth rights to Cannon’s fifth and sixth novels was struck between publishing director Ann Bissell and Sue Armstrong at C&W.
The new contract cement Cannon’s longstanding relationship with TBP, her publisher since 2016. Her fourth novel, An Unlikely Visitor, is forthcoming in June 2026. An Unlikely Visitor was acquired in 2017 as part of a two-book deal, the first of which was A Tidy Ending, published in 2023.
Cannon said: “I am thrilled to be continuing my publication journey with The Borough Press, not only with Ann, who has played such a key role in that journey, but also with all the new members of the team.
“Their enthusiasm and support makes my job very easy. I can’t wait to join them in bringing An Unlikely Visitor into the world next year. Working as a doctor, it often struck me how bad we are at dealing with loss and bereavement, and I always knew this was a topic I wanted to explore through my writing.”
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Bissell said: “I have been lucky enough to work with Joanna Cannon since the very beginning. She is the most perceptive, compassionate and empathetic of writers and reading a new book by her is a genuine joy.
“I instantly fell for Margaret and Derek, and I know An Unlikely Visitor will charm, move and restore so many readers, in the way all Jo’s novels and nonfiction have done. What an absolute privilege it is for Borough, and me, to continue to publish Jo with this gorgeous new novel and acquire two more.”
Armstrong said: “There’s nothing like starting a novel and being greeted by Joanna Cannon’s uniquely irresistible voice. Every page of Jo’s new book, An Unlikely Visitor, exudes warmth, compassion, humour and the unexpected and it is blissful reading. I’m thrilled we will be launching Margaret and Derek’s story, plus a further two novels, with Ann and the incredible team at Borough.”
Cannon worked as a hospital doctor before specialising in psychiatry and lives in the Peak District.
