Doubleday signs new Laura Zigman novel

Doubleday will publish the new novel by American novelist Laura Zigman, her first for 10 years.  

Separation Anxiety is “a wonderful, witty novel for the ‘squeezed’ generation about a wife and mother whose life is unravelling and the well-intentioned but increasingly disastrous steps she takes to get her relationships, her career, and her self-belief back on track,” Doubleday said. “It’s about the pressures of competitive parenting, ageing parents, and career anxiety, all mixed in with gleeful irreverence and the warmth of long friendships and family.”

Kirsty Dunseath, publishing director of Doubleday Fiction, bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Vanessa Kerr at Abner Stein, acting on behalf of Stephanie Kip Rostan at Levine Greenberg Rostan.

Separation Anxiety is “already creating a huge buzz in the States,” according to Doubleday, where it will be published by Harpercollins in March. Doubleday plans to match the publication in the UK in early spring 2020.

Zigman said: ‘"What a thrill, after so long, to look forward to this UK publication with Kirsty and Doubleday. I know I couldn't possibly be in better publishing-hands than these."  

Dunseath said: "To quote Laura Lippman’s endorsement, this novel ‘made me happy-cry’. It is so full of wisdom yet so full of fun, lampooning selp-help gurus and self-righteous therapists whilst digging into what it means to watch your parents grow older and your children grow apart. I’m delighted to welcome Laura Zigman to the Doubleday list with this accomplished and intelligent novel."

Zigman’s first novel, Animal Husbandry (published by Cornerstone in the UK), was a bestseller published in 14 countries that was later made into a film starring Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman, Doubleday said. Zigman then went on to publish various novels and has been a contributor to the New York Times and the Washington Post.