Hanover Square Press has secured the North American publishing rights for 'This Town Will Eat You Alive,' a forthcoming horror-romance novel penned by Clare Ogawa, an author writing under an assumed name. This satirical work delves into the darker side of Hollywood, drawing inspiration from Ogawa's own professional journey within the entertainment industry. Slated for release in July 2027, the narrative promises to explore the cutthroat environment and underlying dangers faced by assistants striving to make their mark.

The novel centers on Frankie Meyers, an ambitious young woman with aspirations of becoming an Oscar-winning producer. Her path is complicated by her role as assistant to Lee Becker, a renowned studio executive infamous for his difficult temperament. Frankie tolerates Becker's demanding nature, viewing him as a stepping stone to her career goals. However, her perspective shifts dramatically when she uncovers a disturbing pattern: young women connected to Becker begin to vanish.

As Frankie investigates, she unearths a truth far more sinister than the typical industry power dynamics. Lee Becker, it turns out, is undergoing a monstrous transformation, evolving into a tentacled creature with a gruesome appetite for blonde women. While Frankie, being of Japanese-American heritage, believes herself to be safe from his predations, she feels compelled to intervene. When Becker's son, Blue, also learns of his father's horrifying secret, he joins forces with Frankie, hoping to find a way to save what remains of his father's humanity. Their combined efforts, however, prove insufficient as more women disappear, forcing them to confront a difficult choice between their personal ambitions and stopping the escalating terror.

Clare Ogawa's decision to use a pseudonym reflects her continued employment within the industry she critiques. Hanover Square Press describes Ogawa as a Gen-Z Japanese-American author residing in Los Angeles. Her personal experiences, moving from an assistant role to an executive position, informed the creation of this horror story, which externalizes the anxieties and challenges of navigating a complex professional landscape. Ogawa notes that she began her career post-#MeToo, grappling with the evolving definitions of acceptable behavior and the lingering specter of unaddressed misconduct. By transforming her boss into a literal monster, she aims to vividly portray these fears and the tension between industry ideals and harsh realities.