Jacaranda Books nabs two books from McGrath

Jacaranda Books has nabbed Rinsing Mūkami’s Soul in a two-book deal with comedian and author Njambi McGrath. Valerie Brandes, c.e.o. of Jacaranda Books, acquired world rights to two fiction novels by McGrath from Hannah Layton, who is now part of the Intertalent Group.

Kenyan born comedian and author McGrath made her literary début with the memoir Through the Leopard’s Gaze, as part of the Jacaranda Books Twenty in 2020 campaign. Departing from the memoir genre, McGrath will continue through fiction to tell Kenyan stories, starting with 16-year-old Mūkami’s, which explores the “contradictory societal responses to gender, sex and redemption”. Rinsing Mūkami’s Soul will be published in October 2023 in hardback.

McGrath said: “To have my work recognised and given a platform is something I will cherish for the rest of my days. I’ll forever be indebted to Valarie Brandes and the wonderful Jacaranda team.”

Brandes added: “Following her outstanding memoir Through the Leopard’s Gaze, we are extremely privileged to again be working with Njambi on her much anticipated début and second novels. Njambi’s forthcoming novel does not disappoint as it boldly asks us to question why girls and women are often left to fight for justice from lonely places in societies that prefer them silenced.”