New novel from Nuala O'Connor in April 2024

New Island Books (Dublin) has announced the acquisition of Nuala O’Connor’s new novel, 'Seaborne'.

Aoife K Walsh, commissioning editor at New Island, acquired English -language, Ireland, UK and Commonwealth rights from Gráinne Fox at United Talent Agency (New York). Seaborne will be published by New Island in April 2024.

After the huge success of her 2021 novel, 'Nora: A Love Story of Nora Barnacle and James Joyce', Nuala O’Connor’s sixth novel is her most ambitious yet. In crisp, shimmering prose, she conjures a completely unexpected portrayal of Anne Bonny, giving us so much more than just the 18th century, Irish-born pirate of lore. In the hands of one of Ireland’s most brilliant fiction writers, Bonny is a young woman of privilege who is anything but comfortable, hell-bent on a voyage of self-realisation with or without the consent of those around her. Novelty-seeking, contrary, stubborn and bisexual, she is also neurodivergent, brave and capable of deep and enduring love.

Records show that Anne Bonny spent all of two months actually being a pirate. Seaborne is the thrilling and sensuous imagining of the loss, frustration and desires that steer this lonely daughter of a plantation owner towards elopement, two marriages, two pregnancies, violence, trial for piracy and legendary status.

Nuala O’Connor says: ‘It's a pleasure to once again publish with New Island – my sixth volume with them – they've always been great champions of mine and they take such warm, meticulous care with the books. I know the team will safely steer Seaborne, my tribute to pirate Anne Bonny, into reader's hands."

Aoife Walsh said: "Everyone at New Island Books is truly delighted to be working with the master storyteller Nuala. Obviously, we were hooked at the first mention of pirates but soon we were utterly captivated by Nuala's rich, complex and sensual portrayal of the oft-mythologised Anne Bonny. As an independent Irish publisher, it feels right to be publishing this Irish origin story and we can't wait for today's readers to meet this fiercely independent, queer, neurodivergent, brave and passionate 18th century pirate."

Novelist, short story writer and poet, Nuala O'Connor lives in Galway with her family.She has won many prizes for her short fiction including the Francis MacManus Award, the James Joyce Quarterly Fiction Contest. Her work has also been nominated for numerous prizes including the Edge Hill Short Story Prize, the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award, the Irish Book Awards Novel of the Year and Irish Short Story of the Year as well as the International Dublin Literary Award.