Out-Spoken Press lands debut essay collection from Lock

Independent Publisher Out-Spoken Press has acquired Fran Lock's "arresting" debut essay collection.

The as yet untitled collection uses Lock’s experience as a woman from a working-class, Irish Traveller background, as a jumping off point to explore themes of class, feminism and eco-critical studies in Lock’s "characteristic lyrical, incisive style".

Editor Anthony Anaxagorou acquired world rights directly from the author. Publication is slated for spring 2023.

Anaxagorou said: "I’ve always felt Fran Lock to be one of the most arresting and dexterous writers working today. Her prose are inspired pieces fortified with original thought, argument and invention. It’s a genuine honour to be able to help put this book of essays out into the world."

Lock is the author of several poetry collections — her latest with Out-Spoken Press, Contains Mild Peril, was a Telegraph Poetry Book of the Year. Her prose has appeared in Granta and she is associate editor of Culture Matters.

The acquisition marks an expansion of the primarily poetry publisher's list into essays, and the return of founder Anthony Anaxagorou to the role of editor in 2023, following the editorial tenures of Wayne Holloway-Smith in 2022 and Joelle Taylor in 2021.

The press, shortlisted for Small Press of the Year at The British Book Awards in both 2020 and 2021, was recently awarded Arts Council England funding.