Eriu makes first fiction acquisition with debut author Hurtubise’s The Polite Act of Drowning

Eriu, the Dublin-based imprint of Bonnier Books UK, has acquired The Polite Act of Drowning from debut author Charleen Hurtubise.

Deirdre Nolan, publishing director, acquired world all-language rights directly from the author. The Polite Act of Drowning will be published in the UK and Ireland in April in hardback, trade paperback, audio and e-book.

It s described as a coming-of-age story with themes of family trauma, mental health and emerging sexuality set against the backdrop of 1980s Michigan. 

Hurtubise said: “I’m thrilled my debut novel has found a perfect home with Deirdre Nolan at Eriu. The writing community in Ireland have offered amazing support. Although it is fiction, the emotional register accompanying the various themes emanate from my own experience.

“While I am Irish and have lived in Dublin for over 20 years, I am originally from Michigan. I worked on this novel during a time when it was impossible to make the journey home to familiar landscapes. Creating the town of Kettle Lake became a way to visit the quietness of a marsh, the particular smell of a forest walk, the beauty along the shoreline of any of the Great Lakes.  I hope this novel will allow readers to visit these places I have loved."

Nolan said: “Charleen’s voice is strikingly original and so accomplished I couldn’t believe this was her debut. She treats her characters with such sensitivity and warmth and deals with difficult topics with gentle wisdom. Joanne and Kettle Lake will stay with me forever and I’m thrilled that The Polite Act of Drowning is Eriu’s first work of fiction. What a start for the list.”

Eriu is part of the Black and White Publishing Group, Bonnier Books UK’s newly announced adult trade division led by Tim Whiting.