‘Witty’ insider’s guide to Oxford University secures a place at Sphere
Little, Brown imprint Sphere has acquired Inside Oxford, an “insider’s guide to the world’s most famous university”, co-written by Oliver Carter – best known for his Oliver’s Oxford social media platforms – and Dr X, an anonymised Oxford academic with 20 years’ experience at the University of Oxford.
Publishing director Tig Wallace acquired world all-language rights from Oscar Janson-Smith, with publication scheduled for August 2026.
The synopsis reads: “Step inside Oxford – the world’s most famous university – in this witty, informative insider’s guide that uncovers its history, quirks and everyday life through personal stories, research and voices from students past and present.
“Between them, Oliver Carter and Dr X have seen Oxford from all angles, from applying nervously to the university, frantic midnight studying sessions, crazy Oxford traditions and the peculiar perspective from the top of the academic tower.”
The book is described as “a celebration of the university’s brilliance and its oddities in equal measure”.
Continues...
Wallace said: “Oxford University is a timeless source of fascination, inspiration, tradition and myth, but what is the truth behind what we might have seen on screen? Ollie is the perfect person to offer a peek behind the curtain, with his access to insightful sources and having already enthralled over a million followers with his Oxford content online. We’re thrilled to publish this at Sphere.”
Carter said: “After spending so much time researching at this prestigious institution, it’s been a privilege and delight to be able to devote so much time to researching the university itself. While we hope to have shed light on some of the more common questions about applying, studying and living here, this book has opened our eyes to many more fascinating mysteries, whimsical adventures and tales so incredulous we had to triple-check that they really happened.
“I hope this book will help make Oxford feel accessible to everyone – prospective students, tourists passing by, those who never had the chance to attend – and I would bet my most prized possession (the piece of paper they gave me at the end of my studies) that even current and past students will be shocked at some of the stories that were happening under their very noses!”
