Hyperion Announces Book Deal With Daughter Of Irish Prime Minister

Posted on January 29, 2003

Hyperion has announced plans to publish two new books by Irish novelist Cecelia Ahern. The first, a novel entitled P.S., I Love You, is scheduled for publication in the spring of 2004. The second, as yet untitled novel is scheduled to be published a year later.

Set in Ireland, P.S., I Love You is the tender and funny story of 29-year-old Holly, who loses her husband to cancer. Before his illness, they had always joked that she'd need a list to cope without him. When a package arrives after his death, she finds out that he has fulfilled his promise and left her an envelope to be opened each month -- it's the list.

Cecelia Ahern is the 21-year-old daughter of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. She was pursuing her Master's in Film in Dublin when this story started turning around in her head and she felt she just had to write it. She went to her mother (she was only 20 at the time and has just turned 21) to tell her that she was thinking of dropping out to pursue writing, and her mother told her that if she was going to do that then she had to be serious about it and then helped her find an agent. Cecelia has been writing since childhood.

Ahern said,: "Now I understand the phrase 'beyond your wildest dreams' ... that's what is happening to me now. I can't wait to meet America."

The announcement was made by Hyperion publisher Ellen Archer. Executive Editor Peternelle van Arsdale negotiated the deal with Irish literary agent Marianne Gunn O'Connor, whose clients include Patrick McCabe, Niall Williams, Morag Prunty, Chris Binchy, and Suzane Power. Van Arsdale will be the editor for the book. Hyperion retains U.S. and audio rights. The book has also been sold in the UK, Holland, and Germany.