Norton’s novel debut is on its way – it just needs a title
GRAHAM NORTON’S first work of fiction is to hit the bookshelves soon. The as-yet-untitled novel has been picked up by publisher Hannah Black of Hodder & Stoughton, who has spoken about her confidence in the work of the chatshow host.
She said: ‘I’m thrilled to be publishing Graham’s first novel and to be launching what we believe will be a major new career for him as a novelist.
‘This is a darkly funny book; Graham is a skilled storyteller, the writing impressively broad and layered. He knows this world and he understands people, their secret passions, and motivations, and that is in part what helps to make this such an accomplished and compelling debut.’
The plot remains under wraps but the publisher’s press release tells us that it’s ‘set in small town with big secrets that unravel with a grim discovery on a building site, while characters include a mysterious family of three spinster sisters and a town gossip’. Norton, pictured, wrote the book last summer and he says: ‘Like so many other people I’ve always wanted to write a novel and I’m both proud and shocked that I have finally done it. It’s a mixture of mystery and romance, set in a part of the world I love.
‘When I read, I like a book that is driven by the plot and I hope that is what I’ve done in my own novel. ‘It is very nerve-racking to finally be handing my story over to the world but I can truthfully say I have loved the time I have spent with these characters so now I just hope that readers do as well.’
Norton has already published a successful memoir.