Eriu, the Dublin-based imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired The Polite Act of Drowning from debut author Charleen Hurtubise.
Deirdre Nolan, publishing director of Eriu, acquired world all language rights directly from the author.
The Polite Act of Drowning is described as a coming-of-age story with themes of family trauma, mental health and emerging sexuality set against the backdrop of 1980s Michigan. It has already received stellar author endorsements from Donal Ryan, Michelle Gallen and Lia Mills.
Charleen Hurtubise said, ‘I’m thrilled my debut novel has found a perfect home with Deirdre Nolan at Eriu. The writing community in Ireland have offered amazing support which I’m extremely grateful for. Although it is fiction, the emotional register accompanying the various themes emanate from my own experience. While I am Irish and have lived in Dublin for over twenty years, I am originally from Michigan. I worked on this novel during a time when it was impossible to make the journey home to familiar landscapes. Creating the town of Kettle Lake became a way to visit the quietness of a marsh, the particular smell of a forest walk, the beauty along the shoreline of any of the Great Lakes. I hope this novel will allow readers to visit these places I have loved.’
Deirdre Nolan said, ‘Charleen’s voice is strikingly original and so accomplished I couldn’t believe this was her debut. She treats her characters with such sensitivity and warmth and deals with difficult topics with gentle wisdom. Joanne and Kettle Lake will stay with me forever, and I’m thrilled that The Polite Act of Drowning is Eriu’s first work of fiction. What a start for the list!’
Charleen Hurtubise has lived in Dublin, Ireland for over 25 years, having moved from Michigan, USA. She is a teacher and artist as well as a writer, and her short fiction, essays and poetry have appeared in various publications. She holds an MFA Creative Writing from University College Dublin (UCD) where she has also facilitated creative writing modules.
Dublin-based imprint Eriu is part of the Black and White Publishing Group, Bonnier Books UK’s newly announced adult trade division led by Tim Whiting.
The Polite Act of Drowning will be published in the UK and Ireland in April 2023 in hardback, Trade Paperback, Audio and eBook.
