Former Stockport Grammar pupil Abigail Dean (OS 2007) has hit the Sunday Times bestseller lists with ‘Girl A’ her shocking debut novel about siblings who flee abusive parents.

In the summer of 2018, successful lawyer Abigail decided to take time off work ahead of her 30th birthday and spent three months at Dulwich library in London writing her novel. Then, in October 2019, her dream came true as HarperCollins won a nine-way auction to publish ‘Girl A.’

This debut novel follows the story of successful lawyer Lex Gracie, who was the subject of national news as a child for her escape from a family of religious fanatics. When her mother dies and leaves Lex and her siblings the family home, Lex realises she can’t run from her past and must come to terms with her childhood.

Abi has had a passion for writing since her days at Stockport Grammar and the novel includes a thank you to the school’s English department and her teacher Mr Howson. After leaving Stockport Grammar, Abigail studied English at Cambridge University.

She said: “I’m so excited to be working with the fantastic team at HarperCollins to introduce Girl A and the Gracie family to readers across the world. The whole process has been dreamlike, and I’m in awe of my agent, Juliet, who has worked tirelessly to make all of this happen.

“There is lots of excitement and a fair dose of nerves, but I’m so thrilled that people are going to get to meet the characters. I keep remembering all of the books that have made me feel stuff over the years, and I just hope that’s what Girl A does too.”

In addition to the novel, Sony pictures have acquired the screen rights with renowned Emmy-winning music, television and film director Johan Renck leading the negotiations.

Abigail continues to work as a lawyer for Google and is already writing her second novel. But even with her busy schedule, this SGS alumni will be taking time to talk to and inspire the school’s current pupils.

Photography credit: Nicola Thomson Photography