Sophie Duker's debut novel Dong announced
Stand-up comic Sophie Duker has signed a deal to publish her first novel.
Dong follows Ellie, a young worker on a television show, who befriends on older male comedian. He becomes her mentor, but some years later when he is involved in a scandal, she is forced to confront her own involvement in the debacle.
To be released in spring 2027, publishing industry magazine The Bookseller reports that The Borough Press bought the book from Duker's agent, Avalon.
Duker says: "I'm literally high off the news of this deal. It feels both ludicrous and lovely that the awkward black girl who hid in the toilets with her books at break time is finally delivering her debut novel. Despite having worked for and alongside some genuine legends, I know first-hand how delicious and dangerous working in the entertainment industry can be, what comedy's worst dudes are drawn to, and the kind of dynamics that develop behind closed doors.
"Showbiz can be horrifying and hilarious, often in the exact same moment, and especially for vulnerable and marginalised young people. Dong might be my way of rendering dark realities in the wild west of entertainment and TV production (without getting sued), but I'm sure its core characters and conflicts will resonate with everyone."
Before becoming a comic, Duker worked in television production herself, between a range of leading independent production companies and the BBC itself.
Publisher Suzie Dooré says of the deal: "I am in a very happy position as Sophie's editor in that I'd want to publish whatever she wrote, and it turns out she's a brilliant writer who I'd have snapped up even if she weren't famous. Dong is hilarious, obviously, but it's also a very important and timely book about complicity, accountability, misogyny and where to hide when you need a Big Ugly Cry at work."
Sophie Duker - Dong
Dong follows 24 year-old TV researcher Ellie. Meeting and befriending an older, white male comedian, Rick, he becomes a mentor to her. Years later, when a scandal breaks, Ellie must ask herself how complicit she was in what happened.
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