Unbound reveals first authors on new imprint for debut writers of colour

Solange Burrell and Peter David Gould are the first authors to be published by Unbound Firsts, the publisher’s new crowdfunded imprint launching debut writers of colour.

The pair were selected from over 50 submissions for the new imprint. Burell’s Yeseni and the Daughter of Peace, and Gould’s Last Dance at the Discotheque for the Deviants will be the first titles published on the inaugural list next year.

"Unbound Firsts is rooted in trust, creativity and talent: our subscribers trust us to deliver them two brilliant debut novels that are brimming with creativity and talent," said publisher Aliya Gulamani, who is leading editorial for the imprint.

"Solange Burrell’s Yeseni and the Daughter of Peace and Paul David Gould’s Last Dance at the Discotheque for Deviants do exactly that. In West Africa a young woman embarks on a courageous journey across time and space, while elsewhere in contemporary Moscow, the underground gay scene brings about new and fateful encounters.

"These books are compelling and brilliant. Moreover, they are exactly what I envisioned Unbound Firsts to be — a new pathway for talented writers of colour who want to launch their debut novels into the stratosphere."

Pledgers who support the books’ campaigns will receive both books and be listed in the back of all copies. Pledgers at the highest level will also receive advance proof editions.

Co-founder and publisher of Unbound, John Mitchinson, said: "When we started planning Unbound Firsts over 18 months ago, we did it precisely to find and publish debut books of quality like Solange and Paul’s. The support and advice of so many people has made this journey an important one for our whole business. I’m looking forward to seeing these fine books — and the ones that follow — fly!"

Burrell, who has always been interested in the transatlantic slave trade and its continuing effects on the global African diaspora, has set her novel in 1748. "Elewa lives in a small West African coastal village," the synopsis states. "Her tribe has been at war for most of her life. She is described by many as ‘The Daughter of Peace’, and the reconciliation of the kingdom rests on her shoulders. When she finds out that she has Yeseni, a powerful gift that allows her to see events from any point in time, horrific visions of life on barbaric slave ships begin to come to her. Her oracle encourages her to travel through time in order to prevent the transatlantic slave trade from ever taking place, but warns her that if she goes, she may never be able to return. It feels like whatever she decides, someone will suffer. Will she choose the past or the present, the greater good of humankind or the peace of her kingdom?"

Burrell said: "Being selected for Unbound Firsts means the universe to me. Separately though, it is admirable, dedicated, and bold of Unbound to create this special imprint that recognises underrepresented groups within the publishing industry. I’m humbled, excited, and hopeful for the Unbound Firsts imprint, all the shortlisted novels, and of course, for Yeseni & the Daughter of Peace."

Gould, who is represented by Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown, has set his debut during the collapse of the Soviet Union, and follows 21-year-old Kostya, who ventures out of the closet to pursue his dreams of working in theatre and to "love as his idol Tchaikovsky never could". "But dreams turn to tragedy," the synopsis explains, "not only for Kostya, but for his mother Tamara and for Jamie and Dima, the two young men he loves, as all three face up to the ways they betrayed Kostya."

Gould said: "I’m not only thrilled to be getting published by Unbound Firsts, I’m also honoured — honoured to be one of this new imprint’s inaugural writers at a time when we so need to champion diversity. My novel is set in Russia in the 1990s, a more hopeful time for peace and friendly relations with the West, I’m horrified to see those hopes trampled on by Putin’s unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine."