Pembroke Alumna Nancy Tucker Wins Exceptional Book Deal

NEWS |

Congratulations to Pembroke alumna Nancy Tucker (2015, Experimental Psychology), who has recently secured a six figure book deal with Hutchinson to publish her debut novel, The First Day of Spring.

Nancy, who has previously authored non-fiction titles The Time in Between and That Was When People Started to Worry, began writing The First Day of Spring during her time at Pembroke.

The novel provides thought-provoking insights into themes such as damage and redemption, and instantly caught the attention of Hutchinson, who won the publishing rights following an auction. The auction concluded with publishing rights being sold in the US, Brazil and France, with much more interest in the novel worldwide.

Discussing her achievement, Nancy commented: “Since I started writing books I have fantasised about pre-empts, auctions and foreign rights sales, which seemed like things that happened for other people but would never be part of my life. I was stunned by the level of interest the manuscript received, and my priority was to settle on an editor who felt as warm and protective towards my characters as I do.

It would not have been possible for me to write this book while studying at Pembroke if I had not had such kind and supportive tutors, particularly my college tutor Rebekah White. I owe everyone at the college my thanks.”

The First Day of Spring is scheduled for publication in February 2021, with a paperback version set to follow in 2022.