Embla Books nets ‘landmark’ debut by Evaristo mentee Collings

Embla Books has signed two books from debut author Ronali Collings, a graduate of the inaugural Madeleine Milburn Mentorship Programme, billed as a “Marian Keyes in the making”.

Publishing director Jane Snelgrove acquired world English language rights for Love & Other Dramas, along with a second work, from Hayley Steed at the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. Love & Other Dramas will be published in July 2022, with the second book to follow in 2023.  

Described by Embla as “funny, insightful and highly relatable”, Love & Other Dramas tells the story of three women each at a crossroads in their lives – dealing with the drama of life, love, family, friendship and keeping people out of your business in a culture where Aunty knows best. 

Snelgrove said: “With her wit, warmth and brilliant insight into women, relationships and all the drama of life, Ronali is a Marian Keyes in the making. It is such a privilege to work with her on this marvellous and very personal story. 

“Moving and hilarious in equal measure, Love & Other Dramas is not a book about race or culture, but it was refreshing to see characters which are often underrepresented in this genre, and to get a taste of the role their Sri Lankan heritage plays in their very British lives and identities. Ronali is an exciting new voice that I know readers are going to fall in love with as I did.”

Collings, who graduated with an MA in creative writing under the supervision of Bernardine Evaristo after previously pursuing a 16-year career in finance, said: “I’m so excited to be published by Embla. The moment I met Jane I knew that she understood my novel and its themes, and her enthusiasm, knowledge and reputation made it clear that Embla is the perfect home for Love & Other Dramas. 

“It’s so important for me to tell more diverse stories, giving older women more visibility, and acknowledging that we still laugh, love and don’t have life all worked out. I’m so incredibly grateful to have been Hayley’s inaugural mentee, and to have received her feedback and guidance in turning my initial 15,000 words into an entire novel. And thank you to the whole Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency, both agents and authors, for welcoming me into their family.”