Monday 17 February 2014

STUFF OF DREAMS - PENGUIN DEAL

Celebratory presents!
I am living my fantasy just now - Penguin USA and Penguin Canada are going to publish my third novel, Miss Emily, which is about Emily Dickinson and her Irish maid. All thanks to my supersonic agent. There was even an auction! Most definitely the stuff of dreams.

The lovely Glynne Arms, Hawarden
I received the news in Wales on Tuesday the 4th where I was in residence at the Gladstone's Library in Hawarden. My fellow resident and friend, writer Tania Hershman, bought me champagne and Creme Eggs to celebrate. Isn't that the sweetest? We then went to the pub in the village, The Glynne Arms, with fellow writers Neil Griffiths, Rebecca Abrahams, and Philip Clement, who interns at the library.

My week in Gladstone's was wonderful (beautiful food, great company, long walks in the castle park) though taking updates via phone from the USA, and chatting with various editors, had my head turned backwards. TG I managed to get done what I needed to do each day before New York woke up. It was (is) a whirlwind. And I feel utterly blessed.

There was more champagne (a magnum!) - and tulips - waiting for me at home when I got back from Wales. Myself, my husband, the kids, and my ex- raised a glass (or three) and I felt super lucky all over again. Penguin announced the deal in the USA today so I am finally allowed talk about it. Relief!

This is what Publishers Weekly wrote today in its Book Deals section:

O’Connor Channels Dickinson for Penguin

Penguin’s Tara Singh Carlson took U.S. rights, at auction, to Nuala O’Connor’s debut novel, Miss Emily. Grainne Fox at Fletcher & Company brokered the deal, and said the novel is reminiscent of The Girl with the Pearl Earring. The work is told through the dueling perspectives of Emily Dickinson and her Irish maid, Ada Concannon, as their lives intertwine. Adrienne Kerr at Penguin Canada preempted Canadian rights to the book.

Yes, I am reverting to my birth name for this book. Much easier for my North American friends to pronounce and spell, after all.

44 comments:

Mari said...

Thrilled to bits for you!!! Just awesome.

Group 8 said...

Thanks so much, Mari. It's brillo!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news Nuala, congratulations, this is great to here! x

Group 8 said...

Thanks a mill, Alison. I feel I may be proving Anne Enright's 'The first 12 years are the worst' statement. My first book came out in 2003.

eileen said...

Lucky you! That's wonderful. Congrats!

Group 8 said...

Thanks, Eileen, I feel lucky!

RichR said...

Yes! Congrats, and I can't wait for the novel. Will tell all my bookseller friends to look out for it.

Group 8 said...

Cheers, Rich. In the meantime Novel 2 'The Closet of Savage Mementos' is out in April from New Island!!

Órfhlaith Foyle said...

Brilliant news, Nuala! Congratulations and how wonderful to be published in America.

Group 8 said...

Thanks so much, Ór. Penguin is just my dream :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations -- definitely one to add to the TBR pile.

mary o'donnell said...

Oh Nuala, the stuff of dreams indeed, and it's not just luck either. You made it happen for yourself because you are a powerful, imaginative writer. Congratulations Nuala and may the book be the huge success it deserves to be.

Vanessa Gebbie said...

I am so so thrilled and delighted for you! Yippee times a few thousand xxxx

dan powell said...

Brilliant news and well deserved. Can't wait to read it.

Christodoulos Makris said...

Great news, N, congratulations! I bet though you wish you could witness the various American attempts at pronunciation/spelling...

Insinbad said...

Congratulations babe. It's wonderful when talent and hard work pay off. Well done. F xxx

Órfhlaith Foyle said...

And Canada, I meant to add!

Words A Day said...

I'm so so happy to hear that Nuala! Its so utterly well deserved, and bout time too:) And fabulous! Congratulations, congratulations! x

Group 8 said...

Thank you all so much, very kind of you.

Mary O'Donnell - a special thank you :)

Akis - believe me I have had my name mangled by various nationalities (including Irish) as you no doubt have too!

Deirdre McClay said...

Wow, congratulations Nuala. It's heartening to see you achieve this as it is so well deserved. Well done and enjoy. Deirdre.

Group 8 said...

Thank you, Deirdre.

Doireann said...

Nuala! Wow! Comhgairdeagas leat, a chroí! :-) Gliondar orm duit!
I have a poem about Margaret Maher in my next (English) collection of poems, so I'm absolutely intrigued to read this book. Intrigued, I tell you! Fantastic to see such an amazing writer do so well, more power to you!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Nuala! Absolutely wonderful news and well deserved. xoxox

Peter Goulding said...

Its brilliant watching your star soaring into the firmament. Thoroughly deserved! Many congrats!

Rachel Fenton said...

CONGRATULATIONS! This is the best news! You deserve this so much!

mm said...

I'm doing a Penguin dance for you, Nuala. Bravo! Brava! Whew and love!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Nuala!

Group 8 said...

Doireann - my maid is Maggie's fictional cousin. :)

Janet E.C. said...

That's wonderful! Congratulations!

Doireann said...

Oh wow! I am so thrilled for you & fierce excited to read Miss Emily. Well done, Nuala. If there's anyone who deserves this, it's you. Love your work. Treise leat!! D.

Mary Rose MCarthy said...

Very well done. Great news

Anonymous said...

Lovely news and it sounds intriguing.

Emily said...

And there I was thinking you had written a novel about little ole me.....!!!!!! ;-) I am so extraordinarily thrilled and excited for you, so very well deserved xxxxxxx

Donna OShaughnessy said...

WOW. I am so thrilled for you. I've only read three of your books so far but am totally smitten with them. Each day before I work on my own novel I read your poems for inspiration. Your hard work has paid off and I will continue to spread news of you over here!

Unknown said...

So, so, so delighted for you - enjoy it all! xxx

shaunag said...

Huge congratulations, Nuala, America and Canada here we come - delighted for you and really looking forward to reading Miss Emily!

amy barry said...

Well done! Nuala!
Brilliant indeed!

Creaghfish said...

Oh, how fantastic. Congratulations as it's well deserved!

Orla Shanaghy said...

Many congratulations Nuala! Richly deserved. Enjoy the dream!

Unknown said...

I am so happy to hear this wonderful news! So well deserved too. Onwards, upwards...
XX

Mel u said...

Wonderful news!!!

Unknown said...

Hey Nuala, brilliant brilliant news, so pleased for you and very curious to read the book. When is it out? Lane

Group 8 said...

Thanks, Lane. Spring 2015.

Unknown said...

Absolutelt thrilled fir you! Huge congrats.