Penguin lands ‘heartfelt’ YA debut from Ansar 

Penguin has landed Good For Nothing, a “tender, witty and heartfelt” young adult debut novel from Mariam Ansar.  

Editor Sara Jafari acquired world rights from Claire Wilson at RCW. The novel is set to be published in spring 2023.  

Good For Nothing is a coming-of-age story which follows three teens grappling with grief and police prejudice in the north of England. It is a “rich and warmly written” novel exploring the power of friendship and human connection.

The synopsis reads: “Eman is the awkward girl whose favourite evenings are spent at home watching soaps with her Nani. Amir is the angry boy who won’t talk about the brother he lost but won’t let his name be forgotten either. Kemi is fast and fierce and beautiful, and knows she deserves as good a shot as anyone else, if only she can get to the starting line.  

“When these three Yorkshire teens are landed with a community service order after an incident involving a spray can and an inconveniently timed patrol car, their stories start to converge. As they spend more time together, the three of them learn secrets about each other and themselves, and realise the true cause of Amir’s brother’s death isn’t as it seemed.” 

Jafari said: “As soon as we read this all of us at Puffin knew we had something seriously special on our hands. Good For Nothing is emotional and heartbreaking – but also funny and relatable – and completely unlike anything I have read before. We are so proud to be the publisher launching Mariam’s writing career as a new literary talent to watch.” 

Ansar added: “This book is a love letter to every forgotten northern town, every young person of colour that has struggled to feel understood not simply in the depths of their misery – but also in the depths of their private joy. This one is for those whose smiles are sometimes read as troublesome, whose laughter is falsely labelled disruptive, whose silences are often misinterpreted. I hope it soothes. I hope it provokes anger. I hope it causes laughter upon laughter – and a secret tiny sob.” 

Wilson commented: “Good For Nothing is a stunningly original, warm, insightful and beautiful story of a small community, told through the eyes of three unforgettable teenagers. Eman, Kemi and Amir will find a place in the heart of every reader, and I am delighted that Sara and the Penguin team will be bringing Mariam’s writing to the wide audience it deserves.”