‘It’s a Sin meets Sally Rooney’ debut goes to Dead Ink
Dead Ink Books has landed a deal for a debut dealing with immigration, identity and mental health through a love triangle set against the backdrop of Brexit Britain.
Commissioning Editor Harriet Hirshman acquired world English-language rights from Clare Coombes at The Liverpool Literary Agency for Sea Calls Me Home (working title).
Hirshman said: I was struck by the intricacy of the relationships in Ania’s writing. The sense of place in the novel is excellent, with the shifts between Cardiff, London and Poland feeling authentic and familiar. The novel's politics are well weaved into the story; they manage to be striking without ever feeling preachy or secondary. This is a really stunning debut.”
Coombes said: “At first read I saw the community, humour and sensitivity of It’s a Sin alongside the examination of social status, intimacy and politics of Sally Rooney. I love that it’s found a home with a Liverpool-based publisher and excited to work with the award-winning Dead Ink Books.”
Poland-born author Ania Card has a background in film theory and production and has always wanted to explore the Eastern European experience in the UK and challenge representations in British culture. She started writing in English at Cardiff University, heading the LGBTQ+ section of the student cultural magazine “Quench”.
Card commented: "I’m thrilled that Sea Calls Me Home has found a home with Dead Ink Books. As an immigrant writer, I feel lucky to be working on this Polish British story with such an exciting publisher championing the bold, experimental and underrepresented in new fiction. As always, huge thanks to my agent Clare Coombes for all her support and getting me here."
Dead Ink Books has recently been accepted as one of Arts Council England's National Portfolio Organisations.
The book will be published in 2024.
Photo: Ania Card
The Bookseller coverage - https://www.thebookseller.com/rights/dead-ink-books-lands-cards-stunning-debut
Ania Card signs with Dead Ink Books