Fourth Estate seizes Gleeson’s ‘searing’ début novel

Fourth Estate has seized the début novel by the prize-winning writer and editor Sinéad Gleeson, author of An Post Irish Book Non-fiction book of the Year and Folio Prize-shortlisted memoir, Constellations (Picador). 

Kishani Widyaratna, publishing director, acquired British Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, in physical, e-book and audio to Hagstone from Peter Straus at RCW. It will publish in spring 2024. 

“On a wild and rugged island cut off and isolated to some, artist Nell feels the island is her home,” the synopsis begins. “It is the source of inspiration for her art, which is rooted in landscape, folklore and the feminine. The mysterious Inions, a commune of women who have travelled there from all over the world, consider it a place of refuge and safety too, of solace in nature. 

“All the islanders live alongside the strange murmurings that seem to emanate from within the depths of the island, a sound that is almost supernatural – a Summoning, as the Inions call it. One day, a letter arrives at Nell’s door from the reclusive Inions, who invite Nell into the commune to produce a magnificent art piece to celebrate their long history. In the course of its creation, Nell will discover things about the community and about herself that will challenge everything she thought she knew.” 

Widyaratna said: “Beautifully written, provocative and eerily haunting, Hagstone is a searing début that masterfully summons both the mysterious power of the imagined island on which it is set and the restless characters who live in isolation there. Sinéad Gleeson is one of our most loved writers and literary advocates, and everyone at Fourth Estate is over the moon to welcome her to the list. Hagstone will thrill fans old and new and we can’t wait to share it with readers.” 

Gleeson added: “I’m unbelievably thrilled that Fourth Estate is publishing my first novel, not just because it publishes some of my favourite writers, but I’m reunited with Kishani, whose patience, skill and expertise were so invaluable when we worked together on Constellations. I’m really excited for readers to meet Nell and the inhabitants of the island.”