Dialogue makes ‘confident’ six-figure pre-empt for ‘exceptional’ Chambers début

Dialogue Books has successfully made a “confident” six-figure pre-empt to the début novel by writer and filmmaker Essie J Chambers.

Managing director Sharmaine Lovegrove acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to the “beautiful, tender, funny and moving” Swift River from Caspian Dennis at Abner Stein on behalf of Julie Barer at The Book Group, who sold North American rights to Carina Guiterman at Simon & Schuster after a “major pre-emptive offer”.

The novel, which will be published in 2024, is set over the summer of 1987 in the dying New England mill town of Swift River as 16-year-old Diamond and her mother prepare to declare Diamond’s long-missing father legally dead and as Diamond discovers that her hometown – where she’s been the only Black person since her father’s disappearance – has a hidden history.

Described as “a story of first friendships, family secrets and finding the courage to let go, told in a voice full of humour, irreverence and sass,” the publisher says “Swift River will move you with its tenderness and wisdom. Diamond Newberry is a character you won’t be able to forget.”

Chambers said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to have found a home at Dialogue Books. They are experts in reaching a truly diverse audience, which is incredibly important to me. And Sharmaine is a force; a visionary and a champion of the kinds of stories and voices that made me want to become a writer. She responded to Swift River with such passion and deep understanding of my characters and world – it’s a writer’s dream.”

Lovegrove commented: “The world is a very noisy place right now and it takes something special to fully immerse you and to get back into the joy of reading. Swift River is the book that reminded me why I am a book lover before a publisher.

“As a reader I was amazed by the style, story and unravelling nuances of Diamond’s life and as a publisher I am excited to press this book into everyone’s hand and later hear that it is their book of the year. As a filmmaker Essie is visionary and as a writer she is exceptional.”