Coronet seizes ‘glorious’ new novel from The Stranding author Kate Sawyer

A new novel from the author of the Costa-shortlisted début The Stranding, Kate Sawyer, has been unveiled by Coronet.

UK & Commonwealth rights to This Family were bought by former editorial director Melissa Cox from Claire Wilson of RCW. The book will be published by Coronet in hardback, e-book and audio on 11th May 2023.

The publisher’s synopsis reads: “Splintered in a dozen different ways, Mary’s family must come together for her wedding day in the place that has been both battleground and sanctuary for them all.

“Told by a chorus of characters over the course of a late summer’s day, this is the story of a family; a family with 40 years’ worth of memories of love and loss, hope and joy, heartbreak and grief. It is an exploration of the small moments that bring us to where we are, the changes that are brought about by time, and what, despite everything, stays the same.”

Sawyer said: “Working with the brilliant team at Coronet, The Stranding has been, and continues to be, a joyful journey and so I am delighted to be publishing my second novel This Family with them in May 2023.

“Despite my début coming out in the time of lockdowns and rules of six, booksellers played a huge part in their championing of The Stranding; I am hopeful and excited that there will be more opportunity for me to get out there and return their support, when readers discover This Family next year.”

Hannah Black, publisher at Coronet, said: “Kate gave us the most remarkable book in The Stranding, a novel that touched so many readers, so expectations have been great for this one! This Family exceeds all hopes: it’s rich and weighty with story and character and life, and all told in Kate’s deceptively tender way. To again find oneself in such compassionate and skilful hands is both life affirming and nourishing.  This Family is a glorious gift for readers everywhere.”

Kate Sawyer has worked as an actor and producer. She wrote several short films and plays before turning her hand to fiction and is the host of “Novel Experience”, a weekly podcast where she talks to authors from across the genres about their writing practices and the experiences that brought them to, through and beyond publication.