Influx Press to publish 'fearless' debut collection from Foley

Independent publisher Influx Press will publish Polluted Sex, the debut short story collection from Lauren Foley. 

The collection is described as "fearless in its depiction of women’s bodies and sexuality and an unflinching and intensely sexually charged window into Irish girls and womanhood".

Acquiring editor Sanya Semakula bought UK rights from Sallyanne Sweeney at MMB Creative. Publication is scheduled for January 2022.

Semakula said: "I am delighted we were able to acquire Lauren’s work, extending our commitment to publishing transgressive queer voices."

Foley commented: "Polluted Sex has long been a labour of love for me. Being included on a list as radical and impressive as Influx’s is a huge compliment. That Gary and Sanya saw my ‘unmarketable’ manuscript, loved it, and jumped at the chance to publish it sets Influx apart in the industry. I am delighted to make my debut on their list."

The author is Irish/Australian and bisexual. Her stories have been published internationally, including in Overland, the Irish Times, Lighthouse, No Alibis and gorse. She has Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and is disabled. The majority of her writing is dictated.