Berkley Editor Kristine Swartz has acquired the imprint’s first queer female romance, SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT by Meryl Wilsner, tentatively set for publication in June 2020. When a famous female Hollywood showrunner and her female assistant laugh on the red carpet, photos of the affectionate moment lead the tabloids to declare they’re dating. The ridiculous gossip threatens both their jobs and their credibility, and as the rumor spreads, it begins affecting all areas of their lives. As the two women fight to protect their careers, they slowly begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all.
“I’ve been searching for a queer female romance for a while, and when I read SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT I knew we had to publish it. Jo and Emma’s connection on the page melted my heart. It’s a slow burn romance filled with genuine respect and affection,” said Swartz.
“I’m thrilled my book is Berkley’s first romance about two women, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how grateful I am to other queer authors who have been doing this forever and have helped open a space in mainstream publishing for books like mine,” Wilsner said.
Wilsner said the book “is for queer women who want to see their stories, their happy endings, the same way everyone else gets to. And it’s also for fans of romance in general. Readers will love the characters for the same reasons they love other characters in romances, regardless of their gender: because they’re sweet and loyal and adorably oblivious.”
Devin Ross of New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. agented the two-book deal for world English and audio rights.
Meryl Wilsner writes stories about queer women falling in love. Born in Michigan, Meryl lived in Portland, Oregon and Jackson, Mississippi before recently returning to the Mitten State. Some of Meryl’s favorite things include: all four seasons, button down shirts, the way giraffes run, and their wife.
