Pan Macmillan SA to publish THE NEAR NORTH by Ivan Vladislavić

Photo: Minky Schlesinger

We are delighted that Pan Macmillan SA have acquired THE NEAR NORTH, the latest work from Ivan Vladislavić, for publication in Southern Africa in March 2024.

Terry Morris, MD of Pan Macmillan South Africa, says: ‘A new work by Ivan Vladislavić is always a momentous literary occasion. Pan Macmillan is honoured and thrilled to be publishing THE NEAR NORTH, which showcases Ivan at his inventive, lyrical and immersive best.’

Ivan Vladislavić says: ‘I am excited to be joining the Pan Macmillan fold. Picador Africa publishes some of my favourite writers and does so with skill and flair. Their Johannesburg shelf, which includes classics such as Dangor’s BITTER FRUIT and Van Wyk’s SHIRLEY, GOODNESS AND MERCY, keeps growing all the time. My work will be at home in this company and I look forward to a productive association.’

Ivan’s agent, Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann, adds: ‘It was a great pleasure to clinch this deal, seeing the passion for Ivan’s work from the team at Pan Macmillan SA. The Near North is a book of intense acuity and quiet power and will stand in excellent company on the Picador Africa list.’

Revolving around a writer in the city of Johannesburg in different states of lockdown, THE NEAR NORTH’s narrative traces his steps along the city’s streets, as he meets its ghosts and muses on found objects, journeying through eras and examining deep divides as he walks.

Wryly playful at times, fiercely serious at others, THE NEAR NORTH is kin to Vladislavić’s award-winning PORTRAIT WITH KEYS (which Geoff Dyer described as ‘one of the most ingenious love letters – full of violence, fear, humour and cunning – ever addressed to a city’), but is at the same time an entirely original and quietly intimate work of great power.

About Ivan Vladislavić

Ivan Vladislavić was born in Pretoria in 1957 and lives in Johannesburg. His books include the novels THE DISTANCE, THE RESTLESS SUPERMARKET, THE EXPLODED VIEW and DOUBLE NEGATIVE, and the story collections 101 DETECTIVES and FLASHBACK HOTEL. In 2006, he published PORTRAIT WITH KEYS, a sequence of documentary texts on Johannesburg. He has edited books on architecture and art, and sometimes works with artists and photographers. TJ/DOUBLE NEGATIVE, a joint project with photographer David Goldblatt, received the 2011 Kraszna-Krausz Award for best photography book. His work has been published in 11 languages.

His work has also won the Sunday Times Fiction Prize, the Alan Paton Award, the University of Johannesburg Prize and Yale University’s Windham-Campbell Prize for fiction. He is a Distinguished Professor in the Creative Writing Department at Wits University.

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Praise for Ivan Vladislavić

‘Ivan Vladislavić occupies a place all of his own in the South African literary landscape: a versatile stylist and formal innovator whose work is nevertheless firmly rooted in contemporary urban life.’ – J.M. Coetzee

‘Vladislavić is among the top writers on the contemporary world stage.’ – Neel Mukherjee

‘Mysterious, lyrical and wickedly funny… Ivan Vladislavić is one of the most significant writers working in English today. Everyone should read him.’ – Katie Kitamura, BOMB Magazine

‘One of South Africa's most finely tuned observers’ – Ted Hodgkinson, The Times Literary Supplement

‘Ivan Vladislavić is certainly one of the most remarkable and versatile writers of our time’ – Thando Njovane, Africa in Words

Fig Tree acquires spirited and deeply moving new novel by Michael Donkor

Credit: David Yiu

Helen Garnons-Williams, Publishing Director at Fig Tree has acquired UK & Commonwealth rights at auction, GROW WHERE THEY FALL,  the new novel by Desmond-Elliot-Prize-shortlisted Michael Donkor, from Juliet Pickering at Blake Friedmann. Fig Tree will publish GROW WHERE THEY FALL as a lead title in summer 2024.

Ten-year-old Kwame Akromah’s life is changed forever when Yaw, a charismatic 22 year-old from his parents’ homeland of Ghana, comes to stay with his family. Kwame’s carefully-ordered routine doesn’t quite know how to hold this brash young man within it, but the two form a close bond and mutual admiration, learning from each other, until their friendship comes to an abrupt end. 

Twenty years later, Kwame has become an upright young man with a respectable job as a teacher at an aspirational secondary school, living just as cautiously as when he was a boy in order to keep himself ‘safe’. But when electrifying new headteacher, Marcus Felix, arrives out of the blue and bullishly challenges Kwame’s behaviour, Kwame finds himself questioning whether he’s living – or simply existing. 

GROW WHERE THEY FALL is a beautifully written, spirited and deeply moving novel about a young man coming to terms with his past and finding the courage to expand the limits of who he might become.

Helen Garnons-Williams says: ‘We are so excited to welcome the fiercely talented Michael Donkor to Fig Tree. GROW WHERE THEY FALL is a huge-hearted novel about love, fear and the freedom to be oneself, written with blazing compassion, humour and honesty.’

Michael Donkor says: ‘I was amazed by and so grateful for the care and commitment Helen showed when editing HOLD – it's a total joy to be working with her again. I'm thrilled to be part of the dynamic list she's building at Fig Tree.’

Juliet Pickering says: ‘This tender, skilful novel about the making of “a man” had me rapt from the first lines. Michael’s talent is to be warm and funny while he renders his characters deeply vulnerable, and this story is full of life. I can’t wait for Helen and Fig Tree to bring GROW WHERE THEY FALL to the readers who might empathise and find their voices here too.’

About Michael Donkor

Michael Donkor was born in London, to Ghanaian parents. He studied English at Wadham College, Oxford, and undertook a Masters in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway. His writing won him a place on the Writers’ Centre Norwich Inspires Scheme in 2014, where he received a year’s mentoring from Daniel Hahn. His first novel, HOLD, was published by 4th Estate in 2018, and was longlisted for the Dylan Thomas and shortlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prizes. Michael was also selected by Scottish Poet Laureate Jackie Kay as one of the most important British BAME writers working today. He has written for the Guardian, the Telegraph, BBC Radio 3, the TLS and the Independent. 

Praise for Michael Donkor

‘Michael Donkor is a real talent.’ – Sarah Winman

‘A stirring new voice.’ – Irenosen Okojie

‘Michael Donkor is the freshest new voice in Black British literature’ – Derek Owusu

‘Donkor is a hugely skilful and fresh voice in literary fiction.’ — Anbara Salam, author of THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

‘Donkor has plenty of heart as a writer, and a willingness to fully explore the hearts and minds of his characters.’ – Tanya Sweeney, Irish Independent

‘He’s a young writer in Britain to watch’ – Kerri Miller, MPR

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Hodder takes four more adventures on the high seas from Stockwin

Hodder & Stoughton have signed four more books from Julian Stockwin for his classic maritime series starring Thomas Kydd.

Morgan Springett, Editor at Hodder & Stoughton, has acquired World English Language rights from Isobel Dixon, at the Blake Friedman Literary Agency.

With over half a million copies sold in the series to date, Stockwin is the undisputed master of the age of sail adventure. We are delighted that Hodder & Stoughton will continue to bring these books to readers all over the world, over 20 years since they published KYDD, the first book in the series. A number of titles have been translated into French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese.

Stockwin’s series follows Thomas Kydd on his journey from pressed man to Admiral in the British Navy during the Great Age of Sail. It follows historical events incredibly closely, beginning in 1793, and is unusual in nautical fiction for the hero being an ordinary man forced into service, not an officer.

Springett says: ‘I’m hugely excited to work with Julian on his next four books. It’s an incredible achievement to have written such a long and exciting series. His fans are some of the most dedicated in publishing and have been following Kydd’s rise from pressed man to Captain for over 20 years now. I am thrilled to be able to continue the adventure.’

Stockwin says: ‘When I first began my working relationship with Hodder & Stoughton I doubt anyone, let alone myself, could envision the series growing to 29 titles with the signing of this latest contract. I am very privileged to be able to write about the glorious period in our sea history that so many are drawn to.’ 

Dixon says: ‘Julian Stockwin is a brilliant storyteller, bringing wonderful characters to life over this classic series. I know readers will be delighted that there is so much more to come for Kydd and his comrades – and adversaries! – and we look forward to working with the Hodder team and editor Morgan Springett on what lies ahead.’

About Julian Stockwin

Photo: Allan House

Author of the Thomas Kydd novels, a series of 25 volumes (to date) in which Kydd rises through the decks and his adventures take him around the world. Atmospheric, page-turning narrative, rich with action and great characterisation. Published in many countries around the world, this is the first series to highlight the common seaman in the greatest age of fighting sail.

At 14 Stockwin joined a tough sea-training school, followed by the Royal Navy, transferring to the Royal Australian Navy when his family emigrated. He saw active service in the Far East, the Antarctic, the South Seas and Vietnam, and was on board the Melbourne at the time of its disastrous peace time collision with the Voyager. Later he worked for NATO on the strategic deployment of merchant shipping.

Stockwin is also author of two novels in the Moments of History series, depicting important turning points in history. The first, THE SILK TREE, tells the dramatic story of how the secret of silk was brought from China to the West. This was followed by POWDER OF DEATH, which shows how the nature of warfare was changed forever by the discovery of gunpowder.

Hodder published YANKEE MISSION, the 25th book in the KYDD series, in October 2022, and Mobius Books will publish in North America on 24 January 2023. Stockwin is now writing BERMUDA STATION, the next book in the Kydd series.

Praise for the Kydd series

‘Very readable and enjoyable. I recommend that you go out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy.’ – Bernard Cornwell

‘Forrester, Kent, Pope, O'Brian all wrote outstanding tales around their commissioned heroes. From a unique starting point, Stockwin has become another member of the band of great naval fiction writers who have achieved the highest standards of storytelling.’ — Firetrench Reviews

‘The preeminent living historical naval fiction writer on either side of the Atlantic.’ – Quarterdeck

‘Stockwin, a career navy man, writes of the nautical life with vivid authority.’ – Kirkus Review

‘A master teller of grand historical fiction tales. Pick one, any one, and you will be highly entertained… He writes brilliantly, bringing wonderful characters to life.’ – Booksville

‘In his hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.’ – The Guardian

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Ebury to publish irresistible Turkish-Cypriot cookbook, MELIZ'S KITCHEN

Ebury Press will publish Meliz’s Kitchen: Simple Turkish-Cypriot comfort food and fresh family feasts, the first book by food writer and content creator Meliz Berg, on 30th June 2022. Editor Laura Higginson acquired world all language rights from Juliet Pickering.

Meliz’s Kitchen is a celebration of the melting-pot of delicious spices and fresh flavours that make a Turkish-Cypriot Kitchen.

Meliz Berg is a self-taught cook and recipe developer. Inspired by her Turkish-Cypriot heritage, and experience of growing up in a household that combined both traditional Cypriot and London living, she created the blog and Instagram page Meliz Cooks.

Meliz has since built a loyal following who return to her again and again for flavourful, comforting dishes. In her first book, Meliz’s Kitchen she celebrates the food that influenced her as a child and shares new easy go-to meals for busy family life, as well as exclusive twists on her blog favourites, all combined in nine chapters of nourishing cooking: Kahvalti (breakfast), Meze & Salata (dishes and salads to share), Ocak& Kizartma (traditional stove-top dishes), Firin (hearty dishes from the oven), Yahni (easy one-pots and slow-cooking), Kebab & Kofte (barbecue dishes and accompaniments), Ekmek & Hamur Isi (breads, doughs, and pastries) and Kek ve Tatlilar (crowd-pleasing sweets).

Ebury says: ‘Meliz’s recipes are pure sunshine on a plate. Packed with simple vibrant meals and comforting dishes, this is a joyful collection of mouth-watering food and wonderful writing that will show people how easy it can be to bring big Turkish-Cypriot flavours to the kitchen every day.’

Meliz says: ‘I have dreamt about writing this cookbook for so long. I always wanted it to feel like a storybook of recipes that tie together my colourful Turkish-Cypriot heritage and family history through food. There are beautiful traditional dishes I regularly make at home and have learnt so much about from cooking with my mum, as well as new ones that utilise the familiar flavours and ingredients Cypriot cuisine is recognised for, but have been adapted to suit current, busy lifestyles. Ebury gave me the autonomy to stay true to myself and my food writing, as well as the opportunity to authentically capture the recipes through my own photography. I’m so proud to finally say that I have written a compendium of stories and recipes from my kitchen, Meliz’s Kitchen.’

Gallic Books acquire two novels by Charles Lambert

Photo: Patrizia Casamirra

We are thrilled that Gallic Books will publish two novels by Charles Lambert. Emily Boyce acquired world English language rights from Isobel Dixon in a two-book deal. THE BONE FLOWER will be published in September 2022 and BIRTHRIGHT will follow in May 2023.

Set in London in the 1880s, THE BONE FLOWER is a deliciously gothic and atmospheric novel. It is a story of love and guilt, of friendship and betrayal, where the boundary between the living and the dead becomes ever less certain.

BIRTHRIGHT is a gripping literary novel with the plot elements of a psychological thriller, and the beautiful prose nuance and depth of Edward St Aubyn, Graham Greene or Ian McEwan.

Boyce said: ‘A particularly gloomy January was brightened for us when Charles Lambert delivered the manuscripts of not one but two fantastic new novels, written during last year’s lockdowns. Charles is an immensely versatile writer, and these are two very different novels – one a Victorian gothic ghost story, the other a contemporary drama set between the UK and Italy – but both are characteristically dark, gripping, and beautifully realised.’

Lambert commented: ‘I am thrilled to be working once again with the wonderful team at Gallic on these two novels, confident that they are in the best and most professional of hands. Thank you for your faith in me and in my work. It’s a joy to have you on my side.’

Isobel Dixon said: ‘Charles Lambert is a master of both psychological realism and the literary uncanny and I’m delighted that Gallic Books will publish THE BONE FLOWER and BIRTHRIGHT, embracing the range of his talents, and continuing a very happy publishing relationship.’

About Charles Lambert

Charles Lambert is the author of several novels, short stories, and the memoir WITH A ZERO AT ITS HEART, which was voted one of THE GUARDIAN readers’ Ten Best Books of the Year in 2014.

In 2007, he won an O.Henry Award for his short story THE SCENT OF CINNAMON. His first novel, LITTLE MONSTERS, was longlisted for the 2010 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. His novel PRODIGAL was shortlisted for the Polari Prize for LGBTQ writing in 2019. Born in England, Charles Lambert has lived in central Italy since 1980.

Praise for Charles Lambert

‘Honest, sharp and beautifully written – rare, truthful writing.’ – Ann Cleeves

‘Charles Lambert is a terrific, devious storyteller.’ – Owen King

‘Charles Lambert writes as if his life depends on it. He takes risks at every turn.’ – Hannah Tinti

‘Charles Lambert is writer who could one day attain classic status.' – Maggie Gee

‘A writer who never ceases to surprise.’ – Jenny Offill

‘A seriously good writer.’ – Beryl Bainbridge

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