C&W signs 'heartbreaking' story by PEN International president

Chatto & Windus is to publish Gun Love, a "powerful and heartbreaking" story of a mother and daughter by novelist and PEN International president Jennifer Clement.

Clara Farmer, publishing director at Chatto & Windus, acquired UK rights to the title from Elizabeth Sheinkman at WME. The novel has been awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship.

Gun Love examines the consequences of US gun culture and highlights the trade in gun trafficking. The novel stems from Clement’s research and commitment to the issue. As a journalist, she has interviewed survivors of gun violence including a teenager who survived the 2012 Colorado massacre. Her own published essays on the topic include "The Church of Gun" and "Machine Gun Bouquets".

The publisher said Gun Love is written in Clement’s "characteristic dreamlike style, blending prose and poetry". Like her earlier novel Prayers for the Stolen (Hogarth), which sold in 25 territories, the novel approaches dark themes via the warm, intimate bond between a mother and a daughter, their capacity for resilience, loyalty, compassion and love.

Translation rights are being handled by Raffaella De Angelis at WME. This will be a "major focus" at the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair where Jennifer Clement will preside over several events and a round table as president of PEN International, the publisher has said.

Hogarth will publish the title in the US.