Marvin Rees signs publishing deal

With great joy, I can officially reveal that the mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, has signed a publishing deal with Picador for his autobiography. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon (£20) and it is still awaiting further details on the publisher’s site.

Bristol residents had great fun guessing the title with suggestions including:

• The Gripes of Wrath

• Blocked!

• No Balloons, No Bridges

• A Journey to South Glos.

• A Trilogy: The Northern transatlantic flights / The Subtle Arena swap / The Amber Beacon

• The World's Greatest And Best Mayor Ever: A Life

• My way and the High-rise way

• Getting Stuff Done

The actual title can now be revealed as My City.

Credit: Rob Browne for the excellent picture. This is a mockup of what the cover might be. This is not the actual cover.

Rees has recently moved out of Bristol so we’ll have to wait until the book is in our hands to find out which city.

That long awaited date is 20 June 2024, according to the publisher’s website. Clues about a possible book deal were posted by the Bristolian in the summer of 2022 when the mayor’s private schedule was leaked, revealing a three hour interview with ghostwriter Tom Bromley.

The ghostwriter, if any, has not been confirmed. The writer could be Rees himself.

The mayor has had two documentaries about him, The Mayor’s Race and Statue Wars. My City will be his first book. He will be sharing the same publisher as Michelle Obama and former German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Estimate how long it will take you to read 320 pages and take time off. It’s sure to be a hoot. (I get no commission for recommending this.)

The fee for the book has yet to be disclosed but I can confirm that the publishing deal has yet to make it onto his Register of Interests.