Ebury signs 'story-telling marvel' from poet Nikita Gill

Ebury Press has bought The Girl and the Goddess—a novel in verse from Nikita Gill, who is the UK's most followed poet on Instagram with over half a million followers.

Editorial director Emma Smith secured world all language rights from Niki Chang at David Higham Associates. It will be released on 1st October.

The book is an intimate coming-of-age story told in linked poems, showing how a girl born into a family reeling from partition goes on through girlhood and her teenage years to navigate different cultures, identities and mythology to master her own destiny. 

The synopsis explains: "The book takes us on a journey of deity wisdom, fragmented family, and love lost and gained. We see power in belief, healing from trauma and hope after conflict. Undercurrents of the Trimurti – the Creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer – run deep, as Paro, the protagonist, must confront fear, desire and the darkest parts of herself in the search for meaning and, ultimately, empowerment."

Of the acquisition, Smith said: "The way that lyrical wonder, revolutionary power, epic landscapes and intimate detail are combined in this book is utterly stunning. Nikita has crafted a story-telling marvel that will inspire and delight readers – I am thrilled to be publishing."

Gill added: "This is by far my most personal book, a novel in verse about partition and family, mythology and magic, girlhood and growing up. I am so pleased to have created it with the great team over at Ebury, especially Emma Smith, who continues to be a wonderful editor, and my agent Niki Chang, without whose amazing support this book would not be possible. I cannot wait to share this book with the world!"