Teen Vlogger, Zoella's Debut Novel, GIRL ONLINE, Tops J.K. Rowling Book Sales

Zoe Sugg, English fashion and beauty vlogger, author and internet personality's debut novel, Girl Online, was released on November 25, 2014 and broke the record for highest first-week sales since records began. She is best known by her fans on YouTube as Zoella.

Sugg signed a two-book deal with Penguin Books, and the North American publishing rights were purchased by Atria.

Suggs debut novel Girl Online is aimed at a young adult audience and surrounds a 15-year-old anonymous blogger and what happens when her blog goes viral. While based around similar experiences, Sugg has stated that the book is "in no wayautobiographical". The novel broke the record for the highest ever first-week sales for a debut author since records began in 1998, selling a total of 78,109 copies. As of December 2014 it is also the fastest selling book of the year.

Penguin stated that "Sugg did not write Girl Online on her own", stating that she "has worked with an expert editorial team to help her bring to life her characters and experiences in a heartwarming and compelling story". It has been reported that young-adult novelist Siobhan Curham was a ghostwriter for the novel, although neither Penguin nor Sugg have stated this. Penguin stated that Curham was an "editorial consultant" for the novel.

Sugg won the 2011 Cosmopolitan Blog Award in the "Best Established Beauty Blog" category and went on to win the "Best Beauty Vlogger" award the following year. She was also awarded the 2013 "Best British Vlogger" award at the Radio 1 Teen Awards; (and again in 2014), the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for "UK Favourite Vlogger"; and the 2014 Teen Choice Award for "Choice Web Star: Fashion/Beauty".

Sugg was listed as one of The Telegraph's "40 best beauty bloggers" in September 2014, and "Queen of the Haul" by British Vogue in November.

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore

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