HarperCollins Ireland pre-empts debut novel by Kirwan

HarperCollins Ireland has pre-empted a debut novel by award-winning actor and playwright Emmet Kirwan, to be published in 2023. 

Conor Nagle pre-empted world all language rights for the untitled book from Lucy Luck of C&W on behalf of Camilla Young of the Curtis Brown Group.

Kirwan has worked in Irish and English Theatre performing many times on stages such as the Abbey, Donmar Warehouse, the National Theatre of Britain, and the Soho, as well as working with leading theatre companies. As a writer, his play "Dublin Oldschool" won the Stewart Parker award for playwriting.

He said: "My love of fiction has always informed how I see the world, and it has had an enormous impact on my playwriting and screenwriting work. There is a project that has been close to my heart for a number of years now, but I have never been able to pursue it. I’m proud to say that due to the incredible support I’ve received from the team at HarperCollins Ireland, they’ve afforded me this amazing opportunity to realise this new work. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you all soon."

Nagle added: "Emmet is one of the most exciting literary and creative talents at work in Ireland today, and I can think of no better way of inaugurating our fiction list than by announcing the acquisition of his debut novel. As varied as his career has been to date, Emmet’s work has always demonstrated the most remarkable ear for dialogue, in all its variety and nuance, as well as an almost boundless creative ambition. To say we’re excited to be working with him is an understatement."